Skip to main content

Full text of "Proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society"

See other formats


Somersetshire 

Archceological  & Natural  History 
Society . 

PROCEEDINGS 
DURING  THE  YEAR  1898. 


VOL.  XLIV. 


The  Council  of  the  Somersetshire  Archaeological  and  Natural 
History  Society  desire  that  it  should  be  distinctly  understood  that 
although  the  volume  of  Proceedings  is  published  under  their 
direction,  they  do  not  hold  themselves  in  any  way  responsible  for 
any  statements  or  opinions  expressed  therein;  the  authors  of  the 
several  papers  and  communications  being  alone  responsible. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Getty  Research  Institute 


https://archive.org/details/proceedingsofsom44some 


NORTH  CURRY  CHURCH,  FROM  SOUTH-WEST. 


PROCEEDINGS 


OF  THE 

Somersets!)  trt 

&rcf)aeologtcal  $ Natural  History 
g>oriet|> 

FOR  THE  YEAR  1898, 

VOL.  XLIV. 


Taunton: 

BARNICOTT  AND  PEARCE,  FORE  STREET 


MDCCCXCVIII. 


BARNICOTT  AND  PEARCE 


PRINTERS 


PREFACE. 


The  thanks  of  the  Society  are  due  to  Mr.  W.  H.  Hamilton 
Rogers  for  supplying  the  whole  of  the  illustrations  to  his 
paper ; to  the  President  for  the  two  pictures  of  the  Old 
Doors  ; to  the  Rev.  Prelb.  Buller  for  the  two  views  of  North 
Curry  Church  ; and  to  Professor  Allen  for  the  excellent 
photographs  from  which  most  of  our  illustrations  are  taken. 


January , 1899. 


F.  w.  w. 


C 0 NTE  NTS. 


PART  [.—PROCEEDINGS. 

PAGE 

Fiftieth  Annual  General  Meeting  (Taunton)  ...  1 

Report  of  the  Council  ...  ...  ...  ...  2 

Treasurer’s  Accounts  ...  ...  ...  ...  9 

Somerset  Record  Society  ...  ...  ...  11 

President’s  Address  ...  ...  ...  ...  12 

Taunton  Castle  ...  ...  ...  ...  13 

The  Council  Chamber...  ...  ...  ...  14 

The  Old  White  Hart  Inn  ...  ...  ...  15 

St.  Mary’s  Church  ...  ...  ...  ...  15 

St.  James’s  Church  ...  ...  ...  ...  20 

The  Priory  Barn  ...  ...  ...  ...  20 

Gray’s  Almshouses  ...  ...  ...  ...  21 

Evening  Meeting — Papers  and  Discussions  ...  ...  22 

Red  Deer  on  the  Quantocks  ...  ...  ...  22 

Bishoprics  of  Wessex  ...  ...  ...  ...  29 

WEDNESDAY. 

Excursion — 

Ruishton  Church  ...  ...  ...  ...  30 

Creech  St.  Michael  Church  ...  ...  ...  32 

North  Curry  Church  ...  ...  ...  ...  33 

Luncheon  at  Moredon ...  ...  ...  ...  36 

Slough  House  ...  ...  ...  ...  37 

Stoke  St.  Gregory  Church  ...  ...  ...  39 

Thornfalcon  Church  ...  ...  ...  ...  41 

Conversazione  ...  ..  ...  ...  41 

THURSDAY. 

Excursion — 

City  of  Exeter  ...  ...  ...  ...  42 

The  Guild  Hall  ..  ...  ...  ...  43 

The  Cathedral  ...  ...  ...  ...  44 


vii 

FRIDAY. 

Excursion — page 

Norton  Fitz warren  Church  ...  ...  ...  44 

Norton  Camp  ...  ...  ...  ...  47 

Cothelstone  Manor  House  ...  ...  ...  47 

Cothelstone  Church  ...  ...  ...  ...  48 

Bishop’s  Lydeard  Church  ...  ...  ...  52 

Lydeard  St.  Lawrence  Church  ...  ...  ...  56 

Combe  Florey  Church  and  Gate  House  ...  ...  58 

The  Local  Museum  ...  ...  ...  ...  61 

Notes  on  two  old  Carved  Doors  exhibited  in  the  Local 

Museum  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  65 

Additions  to  the  Society’s  Museum  and  Library  ...  68 


PART  II.  -PAPERS,  ETC. 

Brook,  of  Somerset  and  Devon  ; Barons  of  Cobham, 

in  Kent- -by  W.  H.  Hamilton  Rogers,  F.S.A.  ...  1 

On  the  Inquisitiones  Post-Mortem  for  Somerset,  from 
Henry  III  to  Richard  III  (1216-1485) — by  Edward 
Alexander  Fry  ...  ...  ...  ...  79 

The  Division  of  the  Bishoprics  of  Wessex — by  the 
Right  Rev.  W.  R.  Brownlow,  D.D.,  Bishop  of 
Clifton  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  149 

An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate  in  Somerset  (part  ii)— 

by  the  Rev.  E.  H.  Bates,  M.A.  ...  ...  160 

St.  Anne’s  Chapel,  Brislington — by  the  Rev.  A. 

Richardson...  ...  ...  ...  ...  188 

Norton  Camp — by  William  Bidgood  ...  ...  198 

An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil — by  John 

Batten  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  203 

Officers,  Members,  and  Rules  ...  ...  ...  224 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

North  Curry  Church  from  South  West  ...  Frontispiece 

„ „ Interior  ...  ...  Parti  33 

Stoke  St.  Gregory  Tower  from  North  West  „ 39 

Cothelstone  Manor  House  ...  ...  „ 48 

Bishop’s  Lydeard  Tower  from  South  East...  „ 52 

Old  Doors,  supposed  to  be  from  Taunton 

Priory  (2  plates)  ...  ...  ...  „ 65 


Vlll 


ILLUSTRATIONS —continued. 


PAGE 


Chapel  of  St.  Melorus,  Olditch  Village 
Presumed  Priest’s  House,  Chapel  of  St. 
Melorus 

Portion  of  Gateway,  Olditch  Court 
Wey  croft 
W ey  croft 

Sir  Thomas  and  Dame  Johanna  Brook 
John  de  Cobham,  Founder  of  Cobham  College 
Margaret  Courtenay,  wife  of  John  de  Cobham 
John  de  la  Pole  and  Joan  de  Cobham,  his 
wife 

Johanna  de  la  Pole,  Lady  of  Cobham 
Sir  Reginald  Bray  broke 
Sir  Nicholas  Hawberk  ... 

Middelburg  on  the  Scheldt  > 

. . . Clitherow,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Oldcastle 
Sir  John  Harpenden 
Thomas  Chedder 

Isabel  Scobahull,  wife  of  Thomas  Chedder 
Monument  of  Joan  Chedder,  Viscountess 

L’lsle  ...  

Sir  John  Newton  and  Isabel  Chedder,  his  wife 
J ohn  Bassett  and  his  wives 
Monument  of  Sir  John  Newton  ... 

The  Chancel,  Cobham  Church 
The  Quadrangle,  Cobham  College 
Doorway,  Cobham  Hall 
A Glimpse  of  Weycroft 
Fireplace  at  Weycroft  ... 

The  Right  Hon.  Charles  Blunt  ... 

Tailpiece 

Ewer,  early  18th  Century,  Montacute 
Elizabethan  Cup  and  Paten,  Norton-sub- 
Hamdon 

Ruins  on  the  site  of  St.  Anne’s  Chapel 


Part  ii 


?? 

)> 

?? 

33 

33 

33 

33 


33 

S3 

S3 

33 

33 

33 

S3 

S3 

3? 


33 

33 

33 

33 

33 

33 

33 

33 

33 

33 

33 

33 


33 


33 


4 

5 
8 

12 

13 

17 

28 

29 

32 

33 

36 

37 
37 

40 

41 

44 

45 

48 

49 
57 
61 
68 
69 

73 

74 

75 

76 
78 

180 

182 

197 


PROCEEDINGS 


OF  THE 

SOMERSETSHIRE  ARCHAEOLOGICAL  AND 
NATURAL  HISTORY  SOCIETY 

DURING  THE  YEAR 

1898. 


THE  fiftieth  annual  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  at 
the  Municipal  Hall,  Taunton,  on  Tuesday,  August 
30th.  The  proceedings  commenced  at  twelve  o’clock  with  a 
reception  by  the  Mayor  (Aid.  Wm.  Potter). 

The  President  opened  the  meeting  by  saying  that  prob- 
ably some  of  them  were  surprised  to  see  him  occupying  the 
chair  at  their  annual  meeting  for  the  second  time  in  suc- 
cession, but,  unfortunately,  the  committee  to  whom  was  deputed 
the  duty  of  electing  the  President  of  the  year,  had  unan- 
imously conferred  that  position  upon  him  again.  He  was  sure 
that  in  all  parts  of  Somerset  the  greatest  regard  was  felt  for 
the  town  of  Taunton,  and  he  had  never  known  a chief  magis- 
trate who  was  more  anxious  to  maintain  the  honour  and 
position  and  glories  of  the  town  of  Taunton  than  the  present 
Mayor. 

The  Mayor,  on  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town, 
heartily  welcomed  the  members  of  the  Society  in  their  midst, 
and  he  hoped  the  many  historic  associations  with  which 
Taunton  abounded  would  be  of  great  interest  and  afford  equal 
pleasure  to  them.  He  was  glad  to  be  able  to  welcome  the 
Society  in  that  hall,  which  had  been  recently  restored  by  the 
Town  Council — a hall  which  he  was  quite  sure  would  not  be 


Vol.  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Parti. 


A 


2 Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

devoid  of  interest  to  them,  as  it  was  once  a schoolroom  in  con- 
nection with  the  school  founded  by  Bishop  Fox  of  Winchester, 
in  the  year  1522.  His  worship  concluded  by  expressing  the 
hope  that  the  members  would  favour  the  Mayoress  and  him- 
self with  their  company  at  luncheon  in  the  Castle  Hall. 

Eepott. 

Lieut.-Col.  Bramble  presented  the  Annual  Report  of  the 
\ Council  as  follows  : 

“Your  Committee  have  the  pleasure  of  presenting  their 
fiftieth  annual  report,  and  of  congratulating  the  Society  at 
being,  after  an  existence  of  nearly  half-a-century,  in  a very 
prosperous  condition. 

“The  first  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  at  Taunton,  on 
the  26th  Sept.  1849.  The  report  in  your  first  volume  of 
Proceedings  does  not  say  where , so  it  may  he  as  well  to  place  it 
on  record  that  it  was  held  in  the  Assembly  Room  at  the 
Market  House. 

“ It  was  then  stated  that  there  were  250  members,  and  the 
usual  difficulty  arose  as  to  Somerset  having  no  common  centre. 
If  the  phrase  is  permissible,  the  county  had,  as  it  has  still, 
several  centres,  and  it  was  almost  necessarily  determined  that 
the  annual  meetings  should  he  migratory. 

“ Now  the  Society  consists  of  637  members,  and  if  the 
county  is  still,  by  force  of  circumstances  and  railways,  without 
a common  centre,  your  Society  is  possessed  of  a noble  habita- 
tion in  the  ancient  Castle  of  Taunton,  which,  thanks  to  the 
liberality  of  its  members  and  others,  it  acquired  twenty-four 
years  ago. 

“ The  annual  meetings  are,  however,  still  migratory,  and  are 
held  so  far  as  possible  as  fairly  to  cover  the  whole  of  the  county. 
In  this  manner  your  Society  has,  since  its  formation,  visited 
Taunton  five  times  ; Bridgwater  four  times  ; W ells  four 
times;  Bath  three  times;  Glastonbury  twice ; Langport  twice; 
Frome  twice  ; Wellington  twice  ; Crewkerne  twice  ; Shepton 


Report  of  the  Council. 


3 


Mallet  twice;  Weston-super-Mare  twice;  Yeovil  twice; 
Bruton  twice ; Clevedon  twice ; Ilminster  once ; Williton 
once;  Axbridge  once  ; Wincanton  once  ; Chard  once;  Burn- 
ham once ; Minehead  once ; Castle  Cary  once ; Dunster 
once;  and  Wiveliscombe  once. 

“ Meetings  have,  for  the  convenience  of  visiting  localities, 
been  held  outside  the  borders  of  the  county  on  four  occasions — 
twice  at  Bristol,  1867  and  1887,  and  twice  at  Sherborne,  1874 
and  1896. 

“ It  may  be  said,  4 What  is  the  use  of  visiting  places  over 
and  over  again  ;’  but  it  takes  some  twenty  years  to  visit  the 
whole  of  the  county,  and  in  that  time  there  is  practically  a 
new  generation  sprung  up — -only  sufficient  of  the  older  members 
are  left  to  hand  down  the  traditions  to  the  younger. 

“ Since  your  last  meeting,  sixty-one  new  names  have  been 
added  to  your  list  of  members.  The  loss  by  deaths  and 
resignation  has  been  sixteen,  leaving  a net  gain  of  forty-five. 

“ The  debit  balance  on  your  Society’s  General  Account 
at  the  end  of  1886,  was  £9  6s.  9d.  This  has  now  been  wiped 
out,  and  at  the  end  of  1897  (to  which  date  your  annual 
accounts  are  made  up)  there  was  a balance  of  £76  16s.  lOd. 
in  favour  of  the  Society.  But  in  neither  of  these  cases  was 
the  cost  of  the  volume  of  the  Society’s  Proceedings  for  the 
year  then  expired — £100,  more  or  less — taken  into  account. 
The  accounts  for  the  current  year  will,  however,  show  an 
ample  provision  for  this  liability. 

“The  cost  of  volume  xliii  (for  1897)  has  been: — Print- 
and  binding,  £81  5s.  0d.;  illustrations,  £14  5s.  3d.;  postages 
of  volumes,  £8  Os.  0d.;  total,  £103  10s.  3d. 

“The  debit  balance  of  the  Castle  Restoration  Fund  has 
again  been  reduced-— from  £44  11s.  9d.  at  the  end  of  1896  to 
£39  7s.  8d.  at  the  end  of  1897.  Considerable  repair  is  ur- 
gently necessary.  Y arious  work  has  been  done  from  time  to 
time  where  absolutely  unavoidable,  and  some  temporary 
measures  adopted  for  rendering  the  Great  Hall  clean  and 


4 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting . 


available  for  use.  But  as  the  measures  taken  were,  from  want 
of  funds,  of  a very  minor  character,  your  Committee  deter- 
mined on  laying  the  facts  before  the  members  and  County 
generally,  and  appealing  for  subscriptions  towards  more 
general  and  effectual  work.  Such  appeal  was  issued  in  April 
last,  and  has  so  far  resulted  in  contributions  (including  £25 
from  your  President)  of  £351.  In  addition  to  this,  your  Com- 
mittee have  received  notice  from  the  executors  of  the  late  Col. 
Pinney — who  was  at  all  times  a warm  supporter  of  your 
Society — that  he,  by  his  will,  left  a legacy  of  £300  to  be 
applied  for  the  repairs  of  the  Castle.  This  amount  will  form 
a very  welcome  addition  to  the  Fund,  but  the  buildings  are 
very  extensive,  and  a good  deal  of  the  work  is  of  an  urgent 
character.  Your  Committee  hope,  therefore,  that  further  sub- 
scriptions will  be  sent  in  with  as  little  delay  as  possible. 

“ The  Castle  House  still  remains  void.  The  purpose  for 
which  the  adjoining  premises  are  used  is  very  detrimental  to 
the  Society’s  property. 

“ The  number  of  visitors  to  the  Museum  in  1897  was  5,236, 
as  against  4,610  in  1896  ; a very  satisfactory  increase  of  626. 
It  may  fairly  be  anticipated  that  when  the  Great  Hall  can  be 
made  available  for  the  proper  display  of  the  Society’s  large 
collections,  there  will  be  a very  great  increase  in  the  attendance. 

“ The  Index  to  Collinson  has  been  very  satisfactorily  com- 
pleted by  Messrs.  Barnicott  and  Pearce,  and  is  in  the  hands  of 
the  subscribers. 

“ The  Index  to  the  Society’s  Proceedings , volumes  xxi  to 
XL  inclusive,  compiled  by  Mr.  Elworthy,  is  now  ready  for 
distribution  to  the  subscribers.  The  printing  of  the  Biblio- 
graphy of  Somerset,  by  Mr.  E.  Green,  F.S.A.,  is  also  proceed- 
ing in  due  course. 

“ The  Library  is  gradually  increasing  as  opportunity  and 
funds  permit.  The  exchanges  with  other  societies  are  kept 
up  to  date.  The  Society  has  long  been  in  want  of  a set  of 
Archeeologia — almost  a first  necessity  in  the  library  of  such  a 


Report  of  the  Council. 


5 


Society.  Until  recently  it  contained  only  some  ten  volumes, 
part  of  the  Screl  Collection.  A further  twenty-nine  volumes 
have  this  year  been  added  bv  the  gift  of  your  Hon.  Secretary, 
Lieut.-Col.  Bramble,  to  whom  your  Committee  have  expressed 
their  cordial  thanks.  If  members  or  others  would  kindly 
examine  their  4 duplicates,’  and  contribute  any  which  they  may 
be  able  to  spare,  the  set  might  easily  be  completed,  or  the  cost 
of  completing  it  brought  more  within  the  means  of  the  Society. 
A list  of  volumes  wanted  to  complete  this  and  other  sets  will 
be  furnished  on  application  to  the  Curator. 

44  The  following  are  among  the  books  relating  to  the  county 
acquired  during  the  year  : 44  Somerset  Towers  ” ; 44  The  Corn- 
ish Drama,”  by  Edwin  Norris ; 44  The  Note  Book  of  the 
Tristram  Risdon”;  “The  Year  Book  of  Edward  III,”  vol.  I; 
Barrett’s  44 Somersetshire”  ; Trask’s  44Norton-sub-Hamdon”; 
Williams’  44 Somerset  Mediseval  Libraries”;  and  several  print- 
ed 44  Acts  ” relating  to  roads,  etc. 

44  The  Society  was,  in  November,  1881,  presented  by  Miss 
Atherstone  with  the  valuable  oil  painting,  by  the  well-known 
John  Martin,  of  the  Coronation  of  Queen  Yictoria.  This 
had  been  from  the  first  somewhat  out  of  order,  and  the  costly 
frame  was  broken  and  dilapidated.  The  picture  has,  during 
the  last  year,  been  put  into  thoroughly  good  condition  and  the 
frame  repaired  and  re-gilt  at  the  sole — and  considerable- 
expense  of  our  Vice-President,  Mr.  H.  Duncan  Skrine,  who 
occupied  the  chair  on  the  occasion  of  our  last  Bath  meeting. 
Your  Committee  feel  that  the  best  thanks  of  the  Society  are 
due  to  him.  The  picture  has  been  removed  from  the  Gre  at 
Hall,  and  is  now  displayed  in  the  Upper  Museum,  where  it  is 
less  liable  to  injury. 

44  The  Photographic  Record  Committee  have  been  actively  at 
work  during  the  past  year.  Their  report  will  be  presented  to  you. 

44  Your  Committee  have  taken  into  consideration  the  amount 
at  which  the  buildings  and  collections  were  insured  against 
fire,  and  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  make  substantial  increases. 


6 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting , 


“ The  title  deeds  relating  to  the  various  properties  have 
been  scheduled  and  placed  in  a box  deposited  with  the 
Society’s  hankers. 

“ Under  the  rules  which  you  adopted  at  your  Minehead 
meeting,  in  1889,  two  branch  societies  have  been  formed  in 
the  county,  both  of  which  are  doing  good  service,  by  keeping 
up  the  interest  of  not  only  their  associates  but  the  inhabitants 
generally  of  their  respective  localities,  in  the  preservation  of 
objects  of  antiquarian  interest— a matter  of  the  deepest  im- 
portance, when  it  is  remembered  that  their  injury  or  destruc- 
tion is,  as  a rule,  not  attributable  to  mere  wantonness  but  to 
ignorance  of  their  value.  The  elder  of  the  branches— the 
northern — has  given  special  attention  to  the  preparation,  by 
those  most  competent  to  do  so  in  the  different  localities,  of 
parochial  histories.  Flax.  Bourton,  Tickenham,  and  Barrow 
Gournay  have  already  been  issued,  and  we  are  informed  that 
others  are  in  preparation.  Your  Committee  venture  to  recom- 
mend such  work  as  being  in  many  respects  of  superior  value  to 
mere  detached  papers.  The  other— the  Axbridge— branch  is. 
also  about  to  issue  a volume  of  Proceedings. 

“ Your  Committee  regret  to  have  to  record  the  death  of  the 
Right  Hon.  the  Lord  Carlingford,  K.P.,  who  since  the  year 
1889  had  filled  the  office  of  Patron  of  your  Society.  The 
state  of  his  health  had  for  some  years  prevented  his  taking  any 
personal  part  in  your  meetings,  or  in  the  work  of  the  Society ; 
but  he  acted  as  its  President  for  two  consecutive  years,  1884-5, 
and  long  took  an  active  interest  in  its  welfare.  The  vacancy 
caused  by  his  death  in  the  office  of  Patron  should  be  filled  up 
at  this  Annual  Meeting.  Under  Rule  ii  the  election  is  for  life. 

“ Your  Committee  also  regret  to  report  the  death,  at  the  age 
of  ninety-two,  of  Col.  Pinney,  an  original  member  of  your 
Society,  and  one  of  your  Vice-Presidents,  who  so  long  back  as 
the  year  1853  filled  the  position  of  President  at  your  Yeovil 
meeting.  His  great  age  had  prevented  his  attendance  at  our 
meetings  for  many  years  past,  and  to  a large  number  of  our 


Report  of  the  Council. 


7 


younger  members  he  was  unknown  ; but  in  bygone  years  he 
rendered  the  Society  good  service,  and  in  many  ways  promoted 
its  objects.  By  his  will,  as  already  stated,  he  left  the  liberal 
legacy  of  £300  towards  the  repair  of  the  Castle,  but  your 
Society  was  previously  indebted  to  him  for  rebuilding  the 
staircase  turret  to  the  Exchequer  Tower,  and  also  for  the  piece 
of  garden  ground  at  the  N.E.  comer  of  the  Society’s  property. 

“ The  late  Mr.  Henry  Alford,  L.S.A.,  F.B.C.S.,  died  on  the 
29th  June  last,  in  his  ninety-second  year,  6 from  old  age.’  He 
also  was  an  original  member  of  our  Society,  and  ever  since 

1859  -thirty-nine  years had  been  an  elected  member  of  your 

Committee.  So  long  as  his  health  and  strength  permitted  he 
was  a most  regular  and  useful  attendant  at  our  meetings,  and 
he  never  lost  his  interest  in  the  Society  or  its  pursuits.  Your 
Committee  feel  great  regret  in  recording  his  death. 

66  The  Bight  Hon.  Sir  Thomas  Dyke  Acland,  Baronet  and 
Privy  Councillor,  was  one  of  the  original  Vice-Presidents  of 
your  Society,  being  at  its  inception  a resident  in  the  county. 
But  his  work  was  more  especially  devoted  to  public  business  of 
a different,  and  it  may  be  a more  important,  character  than  that 
of  your  Society,  and  left  little  time  for  archaeological  pursuits. 
None  the  less,  your  Committee  desire  to  express  their  regret 
at  the  loss  of  so  valuable  a life. 

“The  Very  Bev.  Dr.  Jex* Blake,  Dean  of  Wells,  has,  ever 
since  he  came  into  the  Diocese  in  1891,  been  a regular  atten- 
dant at  the  meetings  of  your  Society,  and  has  on  numerous 
occasions  been  of  material  assistance  to  us ; your  Committee 
have  added  his  name,  as  well  as  that  of  Bishop  Hobhouse,  an  old 
and  very  valuable  member,  to  the  list  of  Vice-Presidents,  which 
will  be  brought  before  you  for  confirmation  in  the  usual  course. 

“ On  the  occasion  of  your  Bridgwater  meeting,  Professor 
Burrows,  Chichele  Professor  of  Modern  History  at  Oxford, 
was  kind  enough  to  contribute  a valuable  paper  on  Admiral 
Blake.  In  consideration  of  his  eminence  as  an  historian,  your 
Committee  recommend  that  he  be  invited  to  allow  his  name  to 


8 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


be  added  to  the  list  of  £ Honorary  and  Corresponding  Mem- 
bers,’ under  Rule  xiii.” 

Mr.  Hobhouse,  M.P.,  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  report, 
said  that  for  the  last  fifty  years  the  Society  had  laboured,  and 
laboured  successfully,  to  foster  an  interest  throughout  the 
county  in  all  that  was  ancient,  curious,  rare,  and  beautiful.  It 
had  laboured  to  increase  the  knowledge  of  its  members,  and  of 
the  outside  public  in  their  county  history,  buildings,  architec- 
ture, and  works  of  any  kind.  He  could  not  help  thinking  that 
if  at  this  day  there  were  many  more  Somersetshire  men  and 
Somersetshire  women  who  felt  interested  in  those  great  and  eleva- 
ting subjects  than  there  were  fifty  years  ago,  when  that  society 
was  first  formed  in  Taunton,  they  owed  not  a small  debt  to 
the  labours  of  that  Society.  He  sincerely  hoped  that  the  sup- 
port given  to  them  throughout  the  county  during  the  past 
fifty  years  would  not  grow  less,  but  would  steadily  increase. 
They  had  just  been  reminded  that  their  members,  who  were 
250  on  the  occasion  of  the  first  meeting,  had  now  become 
over  600,  but  that  to  his  mind  was  a small  proportion  of  the 
people  who  ought  to  be  interested  in  its  efforts.  They  had 
veterans  falling  out  of  their  ranks,  and  it  was  necessary  that 
the  gaps  should  be  filled.  Although  he  came  from  the  east  of 
the  county,  he  recognized  that  no  more  appropriate  head- 
quarters could  be  foimd  for  the  Society  than  the  building 
which  now  belonged  to  it,  and  which  was  justly  denominated 
its  noble  habitation.  Mr.  Hobhouse  went  on  to  speak  of  the 
necessity  of  a good  county  history  being  prepared,  and  said 
that  they  wanted  someone  to  bring  together  all  the  disjecta 
membra  in  the  shape  of  papers,  parish  histories,  &c.,  into  one 
learned  and  at  the  same  time  readable  work.  He  expressed 
the  opinion  that  archaeological  subjects  had  during  the  past 
few  years  rather  overshadowed  those  relating  to  natural  history. 
In  conclusion,  he  said  that  the  best  thanks  of  the  Society  were 
due  to  Col.  Bramble  and  the  Rev.  F.  W.  Weaver,  the  hon. 
secretaries,  for  their  services. 


Report  of  the  Council. 


9 


The  Rev.  E.  H.  Bates  seconded  the  motion,  which  was 
carried. 

Mr.  H.  J.  Badcock,  the  treasurer,  presented  the  annual 
financial  statements  : 


treasurer’s  account. 


The  Treasurer  in  Account  with  the  Somersetshire  Archaeological  and  Natural 
History  Society , from  January  1st  to  December  31st,  1897. 


Dr. 

1897.  £ s.  d. 

By  Members’ Entrance  Fees  (46)  ...  24  3 0 

„ Members’  Subscriptions  inarrear 

(14  for  1896)  7 7 0 

n Members’  Subscriptions  (526)  for 

1897  276  2 0 

„ Members’  Subscriptions  in  ad- 
vance (20)  10  9 6 

„ Non-Members’ Excursion  Tickets  13  1 0 

,,  Overdrawn  on  Postage  of  vol. 

42  refunded  13  0 

,,  Museum  Admission  Fees...  ...  27  5 10 

,,  Donation  from  Glastonbury  Anti- 
quarian Society  3 0 0 

„ Donation  from  Co arles  Hill,  Esq.  110 
„ Sale  of  Publications  5 12  1 


£369  4 5 


Ck. 


1896,  Dec.  31st. 

£ 

s. 

d. 

To  Balance  of  former  Account 
,,  Expenses  attending  Annual 

9 

6 

9 

Meeting  at  Bridgwater 

12 

19 

8 

„ Reporters’  Notes  of  Meeting 
„ Trans  cubing  Hugo’s  MS. 

of 

3 

3 

0 

Atheiney  

3 

2 

0 

„ Stationery,  Printing,  &c. 

15 

18 

11 

„ Repairs,  Cases,  etc. 

3 

16 

9 

,,  Purchase  of  Books,  Specimens,  &c, 

, 8 

7 

8 

„ Coal  and  Gas  

20 

4 

1 

,,  Printing  and  Binding  vol.  42 
„ Curator’s  Salary,  one  year, 

to 

64 

6 

5 

Christmas,  1897 

105 

0 

0 

„ Errand  Boy  

10 

8 

0 

,,  Stamp  for  New  Trust  Deed 

0 

10 

0 

,,  Insurance  ...  

4 

10 

6 

„ Rates  and  Taxes  

13 

6 

3 

,,  Subscriptions  to  Societies 

8 

13 

0 

,,  Postage,  Carriage,  &c.  ... 

6 

10  10 

„ Sundries  

2 

3 

9 

Balance  

76 

16  10 

£369 

4 

5 

H.  J.  BADCOCK, 

Treasurer. 


Aug.  27th,  1898.  Examined  and  compared  with  the  vouchers  ) HOWARD  MAYNARD, 
and  Bank  Book,  and  found  correct.  J ALEX.  HAMMETT. 


tauntcm  Castle  Eestoration  JFunti. 

Treasurer’s  Account  from  1st  January  to  31st  December,  1897. 


Receipts. 

1897. 

By  Rents  of  Premises 

„ Rents  of  Castle  Hall  

„ Donation  from  Rev.  H.  A. 

Daniel 

„ Messrs.  Hancock 

„ Telephone  Company  Wayleave 

for  Wires  

,,  Temporary  Use  of  Old  House  ... 
Balance  


£ s.  d. 
54  11  9 
30  15  0 

1 0 0 
0 16 

0 2 0 
5 0 0 
39  7 8 


£130  17  11 


Expenditure, 

1896,  Dec.  31st. 

To  Balance  of  former  Account 

„ Repairs  to  Property  

„ Agent’s  Commission  on  Letting 

House  

„ Rates  and  Taxes  

,,  Gas 

,,  Sundry  Expenses,  Castle  Hal!,  &c. 

„ Insurance  

„ Interest  on  overdrawn  Account 
„ Cheque  Book  


£ s.  d. 
44  11  9 
63  8 7 

1 15  0 
9 15  4 

2 19  2 

2 3 10 

3 16  6 
2 5 9 
0 2 0 


£130  17  11 


H.  J.  BADCOCK 

Treasurer. 

Aug.  27th,  1898.  Examined  and  compared  with  the  vouchers)  HOWARD  MAYNARD, 
and  Bank  Book,  and  found  correct.  j ALEX.  HAMMETT. 


Vol.XLIV  ( Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Parti. 


10 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


Prebendary  Buller,  vicar  of  North  Curry,  in  moving  the 
adoption  of  the  accounts,  said  they  could  heartily  congratulate 
themselves  on  the  statements  which  had  just  been  read.  Having 
had  many  years’  experience  of  the  extraordinary  business 
capacity  of  their  friend  and  treasurer,  there  was  no  necessity 
for  him  to  make  any  remarks  on  the  figures  presented. 

Dr.  Winterbotham  seconded  the  resolution,  and  only 
hoped  that  the  balance  in  their  favour  would  not  remain  as  a 
balance,  but  would  be  spent  in  promoting  the  various  works  of 
the  Society.  He  congratulated  the  President  on  entering 
upon  his  second  year  of  office,  a compliment  due  to  him  for  the 
admirable  way  in  which  he  discharged  the  duties  last  year, 
and  for  the  hospitality  he  showed  on  that  occasion. 

The  resolution  was  carried. 

The  President  proposed  the  election  of  the  Earl  of  Cork 
and  Orrery  as  patron  of  the  Society,  in  the  place  of  the  late 
Lord  Carlingford,  whom  he  described  as  one  of  his  most  inti- 
mate friends  for  the  last  fifty  years.  It  had  been  his  pleasure 
to  meet  Lord  Cork  in  a great  number  of  capacities,  and  he 
could  not  recollect  that  at  any  time  he  had  not  seen  him  dis- 
tinguish himself  in  every  one  of  them.  He  might  say,  in  the 
words  of  the  Latin  author,  Nihil  quod  tetigit  non  ornavit . 

Mr.  H.  D.  Skrine  seconded,  and  said  there  was  not  a man 
in  the  county  they  could  have  chosen  more  fit  for  the  office. 

The  motion  was  adopted. 

The  Bev.  Preb.  Askwith  proposed  the  re-election  of  the 
officers  of  the  Society,  with  the  addition  of  the  Dean  of  W ells, 
and  Bishop  Hobhouse  to  the  list  of  vice-presidents. 

Dr.  Norris  seconded. 

Lieut.-Col.  Bramble  said  that  as  regarded  spending  money, 
he  was  expressing  the  views  of  the  committee  when  he  said 
that  they  were  prepared  to  spend  the  whole  of  it,  and  as  much 
more  as  the  public  liked  to  give  them.  There  was  this  diffi- 
culty, with  such  a big  building  as  they  had  there  it  was  difficult 


Report  of  the  Council.  11 

to  spend  a little  money  ; they  wanted  a great  deal  more  than 
they  had  really  got. 

The  resolution  was  carried. 

Lieut.-Col.  Bramble  read  a letter  from  Lord  Cork,  who 
expressed  his  regret  at  being  unable  to  attend  and  enclosed  a 
cheque  for  £10  towards  the  Restoration  Fund.  The  Dean  of 
Wells,  who  was  in  Scotland,  and  Canon  Church,  who  had 
been  called  away  to  Belfast,  also  sent  letters  regretting  their 
inability  to  be  present. 

The  Rev.  F.  W.  Weaver  presented  a list  of  new  members 
of  the  Society  (sixty  in  number)  and  proposed  that  they  be 
elected.  He  mentioned  that  when  the  Society  met  in  Taunton 
in  1872,  they  had  a membership  of  .370  and  twenty-seven  new 
members.  Now  they  had  a membership  of  592  with  sixty  new 
members,  making  a total  of  640. 

Preb.  Holmes  seconded  the  election  of  the  new  members, 
and  the  list  was  agreed  to. 

Preb.  Holmes,  the  Hon.  Sec.  of  the  Somerset  Record 
Society,  then  made  a statement  as  to  the  position  of  that 
Society.  He  said  that  it  was  doing  a great  work  with  regard 
to  which  Mr.  Hobhouse  had  spoken,  viz.,  towards  acquiring  a 
county  history.  The  volume  this  year  which  they  proposed 
to  issue  is  the  second  volume  of  “Feet  of  Fines,”  by  Mr. 
Green.  Each  volume  of  the  Somerset  Record  Society  cost 
about  £100,  and,  after  receiving  money  from  the  subscribers, 
they  had  about  £7  or  £8  in  hand  for  transcriptions.  They 
were  financially  in  a very  bad  position,  and  more  subscribers 
were  needed.  The  Society  was  now  searching  for  the  Car- 
tulary of  Athelney,  which  was  in  existence  last  century. 
They  had  found  another  cartulary  of  Muchelney,  which 
‘confirmed  the  idea  that  Muchelney  was  founded  by  King 
Ine.  The  Society  had  also  obtained,  and  proposed  to  issue, 
a piece  of  Bishop  Giffard’s  Register.  He  was  only  Bishop 
of  Bath  and  Wells  for  three  or  four  years  and  then  he 
went  to  York.  This  register  had  been  bound  up  with  the 


12  Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

York  register,  and  it  was  only  a few  years  ago  recognised  to 
be  part  of  the  register  of  Bath  and  Wells.  It  had  been 
transcribed  and  sent  to  the  Somerset  B-ecord  Society,  but  for 
the  future  they  had  no  plans,  because  their  funds  were  so  low. 
If  they  could  not  increase  the  number  of  subscribers,  perhaps 
Mr.  Green  would  come  forward  again  and  give  them  another 
volume  of  “Feet  of  Fines.”  In  conclusion,  Preb.  Holmes 
mentioned  that  the  Rev.  E.  H.  Bates  had  been  appointed 
honorary  secretary  in  his  place. 

Mr.  C.  H.  Bothamley,  presented  the  report  of  the  Photo- 
graphic Record  Council,  which  was  only  appointed  last  year, 
and  the  list  as  yet  was  only  fragmentary.  Through  various 
causes  little  progress  had  been  made  in  the  actual  collection  of 
photographs,  but  promises  had  been  made  of  a large  number 
of  subjects,  in  various  parts  of  the  county. 


Cfje  presiDent’s  atroress. 

The  President  then  rose  amidst  cheers  to  deliver  his  pre- 
sidential address.  The  Society  having  now  completed  fifty 
years  of  its  existence,  he  thought  it  would  be  interesting  to 
look  back  upon  what  had  been  done  in  the  past  as  well  as  to 
look  forward  to  what  they  were  going  to  do  in  the  future. 
Perhaps  they  could  not  now  boast  of  such  men  as  Dr.  Buck- 
land  ; Bishop  Clifford  ; their  great  electrician,  Andrew  Crosse  ; 
of  the  learned  dissertations  that  were  printed  in  their  volumes 
by  Mr.  Hugo.  But  they  had  in  the  Society  many  excellent 
men,  some  of  whom,  he  was  sorry  to  say,  could  not  be  there. 
Amongst  these  were  Mr.  Ayshford  Sanford,  whom  we  wel- 
comed last  year  at  Quantock  Lodge,  and  who  brought  to 
earlier  meetings  of  the  Society  Professor  Boyd  Dawkins,  to 
whose  learning  we  owe  a great  deal ; and  the  accomplished 
author  of  the  “ Origins  of  English  History,”  Mr.  Elton,  who 
had  told  him  (the  President)  he  would  have  been  present  if  it 
were  possible.  Then  there  was  Mr.  Luttrell,  to  whom  they  owed 


The  Taunton  Castle. 


13 


the  restoration  of  Cleeve  Abbey,  perhaps  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant things  that  had  been  done  in  connection  with  the  Society. 
He  had  also  restored  the  beautiful  old  castle  and  the  two  parish 
churches,  which  had  now  been  thrown  more  or  less  into  one. 
The  President  then  referred  to  the  gentlemen  who  had  at 
various  times  acted  as  secretaries  to  the  Association,  and  after- 
wards dwelt  upon  the  necessity  for  a classification  of  the  docu- 
ments to  be  found  in  the  Taunton  Shire  Hall.  They  had,  he 
said,  in  the  Shire  Hall  all  the  documents  belonging  to  the  county 
of  Somerset  for  hundreds  of  years,  and  he  was  sure  that  their 
accomplished  Clerk  of  Quarter  Sessions  and  the  Lord-Lieu- 
tenant of  the  county  would  assist  anyone  in  having  these  docu- 
ments scheduled  and  catalogued.  He  thanked  them  for 
listening  to  him,  and,  although  he  felt  he  was  not  archgeolo- 
gian  enough  to  occupy  the  presidency,  yet  “Can  a man  do 
more  than  he  can  do  ? ” was  his  motto,  and  so  long  as  he  could 
do  anything  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  Society  he  would 
be  at  their  service. 

Bishop  Brownloiv,  in  proposing  a vote  of  thanks  to  the 
President  for  his  address,  mentioned  that  Dr.  Jessop  had 
written  a recent  article  in  the  Nineteenth  Century , which  was 
founded  on  one  of  the  volumes  of  the  Somerset  Record 
Society.  He  thought  that  by  similar  articles  much  practical 
good  might  be  done,  as  there  were  very  few  parishes  in 
England  that  could  go  back  as  far  as  parishes  in  Somerset. 

Preb.  Coleman  seconded,  and  the  vote  of  thanks  was 
heartily  accorded. 

The  President  having  suitably  responded,  the  members 
attended  a luncheon  in  the  Castle  Hall,  hospitably  given 
by  the  Mayor  of  Taunton. 


Caunton  Castle. 


After  lunch  many  of  the  members  proceeded  to  witness  the 
laying  of  the  foundation  stone  of  the  new  Technical  Institute 


14  Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

for  the  town,  and  subsequently  a move  was  made  towards  the 
Castle,  from  the  courtyard  of  which  Mr.  Buckle  gave  a 
description  of  that  building.* 

Mr.  E.  Sloper  said  the  common  opinion  was  that  King 
Ine  built  a castle  there,  but  the  Saxons  did  not  build  castles, 
they  founded  towns  only  during  the  progress  of  the  early 
conquest,  neither,  in  his  opinion,  did  Bishop  Giffard  build  the 
castle.  The  founder  of  the  building  was  Henri  of  Blois,  Bishop 
of  Winchester,  in  the  year  1138,  and  the  authority  for  that 
statement  was  based  on  the  Cottonian  MS.  Domit.,  A.  xiii, 
known  as  the  Annals  of  the  Church  of  Winchester.  The  weir 
which  held  up  the  waters  of  the  Tone  and  conveyed  them  to 
the  moat  was  called  French  Weir,  simply  because  this  French- 
man, Henri  of  Blois,  built  it  for  the  purposes  of  the  defence  of 
his  new  castle. 

Cf )c  Council  Chamber. 

A visit  was  next  paid  to  the  Council  Chamber  and  Municipal 
Buildings,  where  the  party  were  received  by  the  Mayor,  who 
showed  the  visitors  the  original  charter  of  the  borough  granted 
by  Chas.  I.  It  was  lost  at  the  time  of  the  restoration,  but  in 
the  year  1677,  at  the  instance  of  Bishop  Mew,  the  charter  was 
restored.  In  the  year  1792,  however,  it  was  again  lost,  because  the 
town  failed  to  comply  with  the  conditions  on  which  the  charter 
was  granted.  As  they  all  knew,  the  charter  was  restored, 
and  it  had  been  in  existence  for  the  past  twenty-one  years. 
The  Mayor  drew  attention  to  the  spacious  mayoral  chair, 
which,  he  said,  was  of  Taunton  manufacture.  It  was  formed 
out  of  an  old  oak  tree  found  in  the  bed  of  the  river  Tone, 
The  borough  arms,  in  needlework,  made  from  part  of  an  altar 
cloth  in  St.  Mary’s  Church,  and  presented  by  Dr.  Cottle,  were 
next  shown;  also  an  address  from  Taunton,  U.S.A.,  received 

* Mr.  Buckle’s  account  of  the  Castle  was  based  upon  the  papers  by  the  Rev. 
F.  Warre  and  Mr.  G.  T.  Clark,  which  have  been  printed  in  vols.  iv  and  xviii 
of  the  Proceedings. 


St.  Mary's  Church. 


15 


in  the  year  1885,  the  frame  of  which,  it  was  interesting  to  note, 
was  made  out  of  timbers  of  the  Hawk , which  ship  went  out 
with  the  Mayflower , which  took  out  the  Puritan  fathers.  The 
present  Council  Chamber  was  originally  the  dormitory  of  the 
old  Grammar  School,  and  the  hall  they  had  met  in  at  the 
opening  of  the  proceedings  was  the  schoolroom.  He  mentioned 
that  that  was  the  first  meeting  held  in  it  since  its  restoration. 


Cfte  ©ID  White  J£)art  jpotcl. 

The  party  then  proceeded  to  view  the  facade  of  the  Devon 
and  Somerset  Stores,  which  was  originally  the  66  Old  White 
Hart”  Hotel,  where  the  notorious  Judge  Jeffreys  lodged 
during  the  time  of  the  “ Bloody  Assize,”  held  in  Taunton.  A 
fine  group  of  half-timbered  houses  adjoining  was  next  inspected. 
The  principal  building,  now  the  West  Somerset  Stores,  was 
originally  the  town-house  of  the  Portman  family,  and  is  in 
excellent  preservation.  It  bears  the  date  1578. 


©t.  agaep’s  Cburcl). 

The  beautiful  old  church  of  St.  Mary  Magdalene  was  next 
visited,  and  its  fine  proportions,  elaborate  decorations  and 
interesting  features  were  much  admired.  Taking  up  a position 
at  the  lectern,  Mil.  Buckle  gave  a description  of  the  church. 
Beginning  by  stating  that  they  would  all  agree  that  was  an  ex- 
ceptionally fine  church,  Mr.  Buckle  went  on  to  say  that  the 
plan  was  rather  curious,  because  on  either  side  of  the  nave  was 
a narrow  aisle,  and  then  beyond  that  a very  wide  aisle.  The 
natural  assumption,  therefore,  was  that  the  church  originally 
consisted  of  the  nave  and  a narrow  aisle  on  each  side,  but  that 
when  it  became  desirable  to  enlarge  the  church  it  was  decided 
to  build  other  and  larger  aisles  outside  the  original  aisles. 
Speaking  generally,  St.  Mary’s  church  may  be  called  a Perpen- 


16 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


dicular  church  of  two  dates.  Most  of  the  windows  belonged 
to  the  ordinary  Perpendicular  of  the  15th  century,  whilst  the 
main  arcade  and  the  clerestory  are  of  the  rich  and  elaborate 
style  which  developed  at  the  beginning  of  the  16th  century. 
But  the  arcade  on  the  north  side  was  of  a very  much  earlier 
and  simpler  style,  and  it  had  been  the  habit  to  describe  that  as 
the  oldest  part  of  the  church.  He  did  not  believe  that  the 
arcade  was  genuine  ; that  was  to  say,  it  was  rebuilt  during  the 
Perpendicular  period,  at  one  of  the  times  when  the  church  had 
a great  enlargement,  and  that  those  pillars  and  arches  wTere 
taken  from  some  other  part  of  the  church  and  rebuilt  as  they 
saw  them  now.  The  bases  and  capitals,  which  belonged  to  a 
later  period  than  the  pillars,  seemed  to  prove  this.  It  was  to 
be  observed  that  there  was  a difference  between  the  east  and 
west  portions  of  this  arcade.  The  three  western  arches  were 
slightly  wider  than  the  corresponding  arches  of  the  nave  and 
opposite  aisle,  so  that  the  piers  supporting  them  were  thrown  a 
little  out  of  line  with  the  other  piers  across  the  church  ; prob- 
ably, the  spacing  of  the  piers  was  determined  by  the  widths  of 
the  old  arches  which  were  to  be  rebuilt.  But  the  remaining 
piers  were  truly  lined  with  the  other  arcades  and  supported 
narrow  four-centred  arches — another  sign  that  the  work  was 
actually  of  Perpendicular  date.*  The  same  capital  was  used 
here  also  in  the  chancel,  so  that  we  might  fairly  assume  that 
this  arcade  was  rebuilt  at  the  same  time  as  the  lower  part  of 
the  chancel  was  rebuilding,  that  is  to  say,  at  the  first  of  the 
two  Perpendicular  enlargements.  Other  signs  of  the  early 
church  remained  in  the  arch  labels  of  round  section  and  some 
of  the  corbels  re-used  in  the  narrow  north  aisle. 

The  first  Perpendicular  church  included  the  wide  north 
aisle,  with  its  windows,  the  lower  part  of  the  chancel  with  its 
chapels,  and  the  eastern  half  of  the  wide  south  aisle.  There 
was  a great  rebuilding  at  a subsequent  period.  On  the  right 

* Curiously  enough  Wilton  church  has  early  piers  of  precisely  the  same 
section,  rebuilt  at  the  same  period  with  similar  caps  and  four-centred  arches  over. 


St.  Mary's  Church. 


17 


hand  side  of  the  south  porch  there  was  a date,  1508,  and  the 
greater  portion  of  the  church  as  it  now  stands  was  erected 
then — including  the  nave  and  clerestory,  the  angel  capitals  and 
the  numerous  niches,  and  the  very  handsome  roof.  And  not 
only  so,  but  the  tower  was  rebuilt  at  the  same  time,  as 
appeared  from  a will  discovered  by  Mr.  W.  George,  which 
shows  the  tower  was  building  in  1503,  and  provides  for  a 
timber  cross  in  the  churchyard  set  upon  a stone  base.* 

In  regard  to  the  chancel,  it  was  remarkable  that  there  was 
no  provision  for  a rood  screen,  and  there  was  no  doubt  that 
this  part  of  the  church  was  raised  at  the  time  of  the  great  re- 
building. The  east  window  was  curious  in  regard  to  the 
arrangement  of  the  tracery,  the  three  centre  lights  and  the 
tracery  above  forming  in  themselves  a complete  window  and 
the  other  tracery  filled  in  all  around.  The  section  of  the 
piers  supporting  the  chancel  arch  was  changed  at  about  five 
feet  above  the  floor,  and  the  change  of  design  was  artfully 
hidden  by  converting  the  original  hollow  mouldings  into 
niches  ; but  there  was  much  confusion  and  apparent  change  of 
plan  about  the  carrying  up  of  these  piers.  And  the  same  was 
true  about  the  cross  arches  springing  from  these  piers.  The 
fragments  of  painted  glass  in  the  windows  were  mostly  of 
fifteenth  century  work,  and  in  the  centre  light  of  the  west 
window  were  the  initials  “ R.B.,”  with  a merchant’s  mark 
underneath.  In  the  tower  there  were  also  four  initials— 
“ A.S.” — which  had  given  rise  to  considerable  con- 
jecture as  to  what  they  meant.  There  were  two  persons  of 
note  living  at  that  period— Richard  Bere,  Abbot  of  Glaston- 
bury, whose  initials  were  to  be  found  on  St.  Margaret’s 
Hospital,  just  outside  Taunton  ; and  Sir  Reginald  Bray,  about 
whom  there  was  a tradition  that  he  was  architect  to  Henry 
VII,  by  whom  it  was  thought  by  some  the  great  towers  of 

* See  vol.  xxx.  i.  94.  The  description  of  the  cross  is  inaccurately  printed, 
and  should  run — “It : I will  that  myn  executrice  make  a newe  crosse  of  tree 
pformed  wt  stone  in  the  foote  set  and  wrought  in  churchyard  of  Mary  Magda- 
leyn  nygh  the  procession  wey.” 


Vol.  XU  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  /. 


c 


18 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


Somerset  were  built.  But  St.  Margaret’s  Hospital  was  in  the 
parish  of  West  Monkton,  and  the  Abbot  of  Glastonbury  had 
nothing  to  do  with  Taunton,  and  it  was  extremely  improbable 
that  a great  soldier  like  Sir  Reginald  Bray  was  also  a great 
architect.  He  (Mr.  Buckle)  thought  they  might  put  down 
the  initials  to  two  benefactors,  and  the  shield  with  the 
merchant’s  mark  made  it  clear  that  “ R.B.”  was  a merchant 
of  Taunton.  When  the  tower  was  rebuilt,  only  four  ancient 
stones  were  re-used,  the  two  canopies  over  the  stoups  for  holy 
water,  on  either  side  of  the  western  entrance,  and  the 
elaborately  carved  spandrils  over  the  doorway,  which,  how- 
ever, had  been  very  much  restored.  The  subject  of  the  one 
appeared  to  be  the  miracle  of  St.  Gregory’s  Mass,  and  the 
other  represented  the  appearance  of  our  Lord  to  Mary  Mag- 
dalene in  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane.  In  the  latter  there 
appeared  outside  the  garden  fence  a kneeling  figure  of  a bene- 
factor in  civil  dress.  The  carving  had  been  so  much  restored 
that  no  confidence  could  be  placed  in  the  dress  of  this  figure, 
but,  so  far  as  it  went,  this  carving  supplied  a further  argument 
that  the  tower  was  built  by  the  tradesmen  of  the  town,  rather 
than  from  a royal  grant. 

The  late  parapet  round  the  south  aisle  furnished  another 
clue  to  the  benefactors  of  this  date  in  the  coat.  A bend  between 
two  leaves , impaling  A fret  within  a bordure , with,  apparently, 
a dog  for  crest.  As  to  the  tower  it  was  one  of  the  grandest 
in  the  county.  It  was  said  to  be  131  feet  high  and  the 
pinnacles  32  feet,  making  a total  of  163  feet  high.  It  was 
covered  with  elaborate  carving  from  the  bottom  right  up  to 
the  top.  It  was  emphatically  built  in  the  Somersetshire  style, 
an  argument  against  Sir  Reginald  Bray  having  had  any  hand 
in  its  design,  and  a vast  amount  of  money  and  effort  must  have 
been  spent  upon  it,  but  not  with  such  complete  success  as  they 
could  wish.  There  was  no  growth  of  richness  towards  the 
top,  so  that  the  tower  lacked  unity  and  proportion,  and 
perhaps  on  that  account  it  was  a pity  that  Hammet-street  had 


19 


St.  Mary  s Church. 

been  opened  np  so  as  to  expose  the  whole  of  the  tower  to  view. 
On  the  north  wall  of  the  church  was  a life-size  figure  of 
Robert  Gray,  the  founder  of  the  Almshouses  in  East-street, 
and  under  it  the  quaint  lines — 

“Taunton  bore  him,  London  bred  him, 

Piety  train’d  him,  virtue  led  him  ; 

Earth  enrich’d  him,  heaven  cares’t  him, 

Taunton  blest  him,  London  blest  him. 

This  thankful  town,  that  mindful  city, 

Share  his  piety  and  his  pity. 

What  he  gave,  and  how  he  gave  it, 

Ask  the  poor,  and  you  shall  have  it. 

Gentle  reader,  heaven  may  strike 
Thy  tender  heart  to  do  the  like  ; 

And  now  thy  eyes  have  read  the  story, 

Give  him  the  praise  and  heaven  the  glory.” 

“jElatis  sum  65.  Anno  Domini  1635.” 

At  the  invitation  of  the  Vicar,  the  Rev.  Preb.  Askwith, 
the  party  proceeded  to  the  vestry  to  inspect  the  registers  and 
the  old  plate.  There  were  two  old  registers  on  view,  the  one 
belonging  to  Queen  Elizabeth’s  reign,  and  the  other  used 
during  the  time  of  Monmouth’s  rebellion.  A note  in  the 
latter  records  the  fact  that  burials  were  interrupted  during  the 
rebellion,  and  it  was  interesting  to  observe  that  Monmouth’s 
followers  are  invariably  called  “ rebels  ” in  the  registers.  The 
holy  vessels  which  are  still  in  use,  consist  of  two  silver-gilt 
flagons,  presented  in  1639,  two  silver-gilt  chalices,  given  in 
1630  and  1639,  and  a silver  salver,  with  a Latin  inscription 
surrounding  an  engraving  of  the  Castle.  These  vessels  were, 
after  the  landing  of  the  Prince  of  Orange  at  Torbay,  buried,  to 
preserve  them  from  the  hands  of  spoilers. 

The  party  next  proceeded  to  St.  James’  Church,  passing  on 
their  way  through  St.  Mary’s  Vicarage  grounds,  where  they 
had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  only  remains  that  are  left  of 
the  earth-work  that  was  raised  round  Taunton  during  the 
siege. 


20 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting.  , 

©t.  fames’  Cfjutcf). 

This  church  Mr.  Buckle  described  as  a very  great 
contrast  to  that  of  St.  Mary’s.  It  was,  however,  a straight- 
forward example  of  a Perpendicular  church  of  about  the  loth 
century.  The  nave  and  the  aisles  appear  to  have  been  en- 
tirely  re-built  about  that  time,  but  the  chancel  was  entirely 
modern.  It  was  a type  of  church  which  was  rather  unusual 
in  Somerset,  with  its  three  wide  barrel  roofs.  The  enormously 
wide  arch  at  the  east  end  of  the  arcade  was  a very  remarkable 
feature,  and  the  purpose  presumably  was  to  enable  a larger 
number  of  people  to  see  into  the  chancel.  There  was  a very 
elaborate  font  under  the  tower,  which,  he  was  sorry  to  say,  had 
been  restored,  so  that  it  was  difficult  to  say  what  parts  of  the 
carving  were  original  and  what  parts  modern.  It  was  octa- 
gonal in  shape,  with  three  figures  on  each  side,  so  that  alto- 
gether there  were  twenty-four  figures,  including  the  twelve 
Apostles.  Above  the  font  they  saw  the  fine  vault  of  the 
tower.  It  was  a singularly  beautiful  tower,  and  was  almost 
identical  with  the  one  at  Bishop’s  Lydeard,  but  the  latter  was 
in  one  sense,  more  perfect  because  it  had  the  original  parapet 
and  pinnacles  on  the  top.  The  outline  and  general  effect  of 
the  tower  were  remarkably  beautiful,  and  deserved  to  be  looked 
at  from  many  points  of  view,  particularly  from  the  bridge  over 
the  Tone.  In  his  opinion  that  tower  was  a considerably 
greater  work  of  art  than  the  great  tower  of  St.  Mary  Magda- 
lene, although  nothing  like  the  same  amount  of  money  had 
been  spent  upon  it. 


Cfjc  Pciocp  IBatn 

A move  was  next  made  to  what  is  known  as  the  Priory 
Barn,  one  of  the  old  farm  buildings  belonging  to  the  Priory  at 
Taunton,  which,  in  olden  times,  stood  at  the  end  of  the  town. 
Little  or  nothing  of  the  original  building  remains. 


21 


Gray s Almshouses. 

Mr.  E.  Slopee  gave  some  few  particulars  of  the  old  Priory, 
from  which  it  appeared  to  have  been  founded  in  1125.  An 
earlier  monastery  existed  at  Taunton,  before  the  Norman 
Conquest.  He  said  it  had  always  been  a puzzle  to  him  where 
that  monastery  stood.  In  the  town  there  was  a street  called 
Paul  Street,  and  further  on  there  was  a farm  called  Pool  Farm, 
where  ancient  remains  and  a pitched  paved  way  were  to  be 
seen  on  the  wTest  side  of  the  farm  buildings.  The  former  he 
regarded  as  the  site  of  the  earlier  monastery,  and  it  was  known 
that  many  of  the  lesser  monasteries  were  absorbed  by  the 
greater  ones,  prior  to  the  Conquest.  It  was  not  mentioned  in 
Domesday,  but  was  alluded  to  in  charters,  and  specially  men- 
tioned in  connection  with  rendering  certain  customs  to  the 
king  in  the  11th  century.  The  word  Pool  in  regard  to  Pool 
Farm  he  considered  was  a corruption  of  Paul,  to  which  saint 
the  monastery  was  probably  dedicated.  This  saint’s  name 
was  spelt  Poole,  Poule,  and  Powle,  in  mediaeval  times. 


®tag’0  aimsfjouses- 

A visit  was  next  made  to  Gray’s  Almshouses  in  East  Street, 
Taunton,  which  were  founded,  as  a tablet  on  the  fagade  records, 
in  the  year  1635,  by  Robert  Gray,  whose  virtues  are  described 
on  a tablet  to  his  memory  in  St.  Mary’s  church.  The  quaint 
old  rooms  were  inspected  with  interest,  and  the  chapel  in 
particular  attracted  much  attention.  Here  is  still  preserved 
the  old  Bible,  printed  in  1634,  which  was  used  at  the  founda- 
tion of  the  almshouses,  and  the  various  readers  who  are 
appointed  by  the  inmates  utilize  the  blank  pages  of  the  book 
for  the  purpose  of  inscribing  their  names  therein.  The  build- 
ing, both  interior  and  exterior,  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  pre- 
servation. The  inspection  of  this  place  concluded  the  first 
day’s  tour. 


22 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


©jentng;  Meeting. 

In  tlie  evening,  a meeting  was  held  in  the  Castle  Hall  for 
Papers  and  discussions.  The  President  occupied  the  chair, 
and  was  supported  by  the  Mayor,  and  the  Rev.  F.  W.  Weaver. 


Red  Deer  on  tfte  Duantocfes. 

The  President  read  a paper  on  “Red  Deer  on  the 
Quantocks.”  He  said  that  the  origin  of  his  reading  that 
paper  was  that  in  his  last  address  as  President  at  Bridgwater 
he  was  reported  to  have  used  these  words  “ There  was  a 
general  belief  that,  as  on  Exmoor,  which  had  been  a Royal 
forest  from  time  immemorial,  so  on  the  Quantocks  red  deer 
had  been  for  centuries.  These  beautiful  animals,  however, 
were  claimed  to  have  been  first  turned  out  on  the  Quantocks 
by  Mr.  C.  E.  J.  Esdaile’s  father,  and  this  was  confirmed  by 
Lord  Ebrington.”  He  would  now  wish  to  withdraw  Lord 
Ebrington’s  confirmation,  which  was  given  by  him  in  his  book 
on  staghunting,  because  last  winter  he  met  him  and  asked  him 
about  this  question,  whereupon  he  told  him  that  he  (Mr. 
Stanley)  had  been  his  authority  on  the  question  of  Mr.  Esdaile 
turning  tlte  deer  out.  He  (the  President)  had  thought  Lord 
Ebrington  had  independent  knowledge  of  his  own  of  what 
was  in  the  documents  belonging  to  the  Esdaile  family,  but 
he  was  quite  prepared  to  take  the  responsibility  upon  himself. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Greswell  wrote  a letter  to  the  Somci'set  County 
Gazette  on  the  subject,  and  seemed  to  have  to  a certain  degree 
convinced  the  editing  secretary  of  that  society. 

The  Rev.  F.  W.  Weaver  : I am  not  responsible  for  all  I 
print. 

The  President,  proceeding,  said  he  was  glad  to  find  that 
the  committee  cordially  agreed  with  his  suggestion  that  he 
should  read  a paper  on  the  red  deer  on  the  Quantocks.  He 
hoped  they  would  be  very  lenient  to  him,  as  a study  of 


The  Red  Deer  on  the  Quantocks. 


23 


Domesday  was  one  of  the  most  fearful  things  he  had  ever 
undergone,  and  it  was  very  difficult  to  understand.  Mr. 
Stanley  then  read  his  paper,  which  was  of  an  interesting 
character,  and  in  which  he  said  there  was  no  proof  at  all 
that  in  old  days  there  were  more  deer  on  the  Quantocks 
than  in  any  other  part  of  England,  and  also  asserted  that  the 
forest  laws  did  not  apply  to  the  Quantocks.  He  said  : I will 
first  take  Mr.  Greswell’s  arguments  which  have  been  printed 
with  my  address,  and  then  proceed  to  his  other  arguments. 
Leland  certainly  observed  that  there  was  a red  deer  park  in  the 
bottom  at  Nether  Stowey,  and  another  of  fallow,  but  these 
deer  in  a park  are  not  the  red  deer  for  which  we  are  looking, 
but  park  deer,  fenced  in  and  not  ranging  over  the  hills.  Mr. 
Weaver  also  says  that  Mr.  Grreswell  brings  evidence  forward 
to  show  that  a large  portion  of  this  part  of  Somerset  was 
accounted  “forest”  from  Domesday  downwards.  We  are,  I 
believe,  at  all  events  Mr.  Greswell  and  I are,  willing  to  accept 
Mr.  Eyton,  generally,  as  our  authority.  Now  what  does  he 
say  positively,  preface,  page  34? — “The  Somerset  survey 
names  no  king’s  forest  at  all  under  any  specific  name  of  such 
forest,  but  it  gives  the  expanses  of  such  forests  in  the  large 
areas  of  wood  and  pasture  which  it  annexes  to  certain  manors 
of  the  Vetus  Dominicum  Coronce.  The  Royal  forests  of 
Somerset  thus  vaguely  noticed  by  a technicality  of  Domesday, 
proved  in  the  following  century  to  be  five  in  number — Exmoor, 
Neroche,  Selwood,  Mendip  and  North  Petherton.  Though  in 
a Domesday  point  of  view  the  Royal  forests  may  be  said  to 
have  been  annexed  to  the  Royal  manors,  this  must  be  under- 
stood collectively  of  both.  No  particular  forest  can  be  pointed 
out  as  having  been  apportioned  to  a particular  manor.  A 
mass  of  Royal  Forest  was  annexed  for  instance  to  the  three 
Royal  Manors  of  Carhampton,  Williton  and  Cannington. 
They  had  among  them  14,400  acres  of  wood  and  21,600  of 
pasture,  in  all  36,000  acres,  which,  though  not  altogether 
forest  in  a physical  sense,  were  afforested  in  a technical  sense, 


24  Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

that  is,  deemed  to  pertain  to  the  King’s  Forest.”  This  is  the 
paragraph  which  Mr.  Gres  well  quotes,  leaving  out  “ for  in- 
stance,” which  connects  the  paragraph  with  what  has  gone 
before.  Going  on  to  page  130,  where  details  of  the  north- 
western manors  of  Somerset  are  considered,  we  find  “ On  the 
whole  the  Domesday  measurements  of  the  above  territory 
exceed  the  measures  of  the  corresponding  parishes  by  2 14, 080 
— 198,119,  that  is  16,466  acres.  There  can  he  hut  one  con- 
struction of  all  this.  It  is  that  much  of  the  woodland  and 
pasture  attributed  by  Domesday  to  the  King’s  Manors  and  to 
other  manors  of  this  region  really  comprehended  forests  and 
uplands  pervading  districts  which  were  geographically  external. 
When  we  come  to  the  Xorth  Petherton  Manor  and  Hundred, 
for  instance,  we  shall  see  that  none  of  the  King’s  Forest  of 
Xorth  Petherton  was  deemed  by  Domesday  to  he  appurtenant 
thereto,  and  there  are  other  like  instances.”  As  regards  W est 
Monkton  Manor,  says  Mr.  Eyton,  p.  164,  the  difference  of  the 
“ two  measurements  was  probably  King’s  Forest,  and  accredited 
in  Domesday  like  Xorth  Petherton  Forest  to  the  Boyal 
Manors  of  South  and  Xorth  Somerset.”  But  this  only  affects 
the  Domesday  survey,  which  does  not  separate  the  forests 
from  other  manors;  but  a century  later  we  find  bounds  of  the 
forests  described,  and  a century  later  still  we  find  the  peram- 
bulation of  the  forests  taking  place,  and  what  had  long  been 
promised  carried  out,  that  the  lands  that  had  been  added  to 
the  forests  by  the  kings  were  disafforested.  Xear  the  Quantocks 
the  only  forest  was  Xorth  Petherton,  the  names  of  whose 
rangers  have  come  down  to  us,  and  one  of  them,  Sabina  Peche, 
who  made  P.  de  Hamme  her  deputy,  who  acted  as  ranger  of 
the  king’s  forests  in  Somerset,  we  read  had  Xewhalle,  in 
Holford.  The  tenants  here  had  their  lands  by  the  service  of 
attending  at  Petherton  Park  in  fawning  season,  or  paying  a 
fine  for  non-attendance ; this  service  was  afterwards  changed 
( Collinson , vol.  iii,  p.  457)  into  a certain  rent,  and  is  still  paid. 
Would  she  (the  ranger)  have  sent  those  who  held  under  her  to 


The  Red  Deer  on  the  Quantocks.  25 

N orth  Petherton  if  there  had  been  special  fawning  on  the  Qnan 
tocks  ? This  may  be  the  origin  of  a curious  dispute  about  a pay- 
ment from  Holford  to  North  Petherton.  Red  deer  existed  over 
all  England  at  one  time,  and  whether  they  ceased  to  exist  or  not 
is  a matter  of  evidence.  Is  there  anything  to  show  that  two 
hundred  years  ago,  at  any  particular  time,  there  were  any  red 
deer  on  the  Quantocks  ? Lord  Ebrington  has  the  records  of 
the  North  Devon  Staghounds,  and  the  “no  doubt  with  justice” 
of  Lord  Ebrington’s  corroboration,  I freely  withdraw,  be- 
cause it  was  based  on  the  circumstances  which  I told  him 
myself.  But  I can  quote  his  authority  that  there  is  no  record 
of  any  deer  having  been  ever  hunted  on  Quantock  by  the 
North  Devon  Staghounds.  Mr.  Greswell’s  evidence  is  based 
on  his  disbelief  of  what  I have  written  regarding  Mr.  Esdaile 
and  Mr.  Crosse’s  authority  in  a poem  on  a stag  hunt.  As 
for  the  first  point  I believe  Mr.  E.  J.  Esdaile  was  on  Cothel- 
stone-hill,  as  Mr.  Greswell  suggests,  on  the  occasion  of 
the  earliest  visit,  but  did  not  announce  that  he  had  turned 
out  deer  on  a neighbouring  property.  As  to  Mr.  Crosse’s 
writing  on  “ The  W alks  on  the  Quantocks,”  this  I found 
was  written  and  read  before  this  association  in  1854,  Sep- 
tember 12th ; this  is  more  than  fifteen  years  after  Mr.  Esdaile 
began  turning  out  the  deer,  and  if  they  were  red  deer  that 
Mr.  Crosse  saw,  they  were  probably  some  of  them.  But  it  seems 
to  be  forgotten  that  there  was  a herd  of  fallow  deer  (that 
got  out  of  Crowcombe  Park  as  I have  heard),  which  existed  in 
Lord  Taunton’s  time,  and  was  hunted  by  Wodrow,  and  I 
suspect  the  great  electrician  might  in  the  dead  of  night  have 
made  a mistake  with  them.  The  poem  said  to  be  on  a stag 
hunt  appears  at  page  62  of  “ Memorials  of  Andrew  Crossef 
but  it  is  “ Lines  on  a red  deer  turned  out  before  the  staghounds 
on  Broomfield  Hill.”  If  there  had  been  red  deer  on  the  Quan- 
tocks the  carted  deer  would  not  have  been  resorted  to.  I have 
not  been  able  to  find  any  date  for  this  poem,  nor  any  account  of 
the  carted  deer  on  Broomfield  Hill.  The  passage  out  of  “ The 

T> 


Vol  XU  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  I. 


26 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


W alks  on  the  Quantocks  ” is  as  follows  : — “ Often  have  1 
stumbled  on  the  red  deer  while  crossing  the  hills  at  the  dead  of 
night  or  disturbed  the  fox  with  the  light  of  my  lantern.”  I 
should  suggest  that  he  mistook  the  fallow  deer  for  red  deer  in 
his  nightly  walk  with  a lantern.  The  occurrence  that  I men- 
tioned to  Lord  Ebrington  was  that  the  late  Mr.  E.  J.  Esdaile 
having  kindly  come  to  see  me,  when  he  for  a time  partly 
recovered  his  health,  walked  around  the  house  at  Quantock, 
which  he  had  not  seen  after  Lord  Taunton  had  finally  finished 
it,  and  talked  to  me  of  old  things.  I asked  him  about  the  red 
deer.  He  said,  “ I turned  out  the  first  on  the  Quantocks.”  I 
asked  him  where,  an\i  he  said  at  the  top  of  Cockercombe.  I 
find  from  Mr.  Charles , Esdaile,  his  son,  that  this  must  have 
been  ministerially  on  his  part,  as  his  grandfather,  also  Mr.  E. 
J.  Esdaile,  was  alive,  and  the  son  no  doubt  assisted  at  the  en- 
largement of  the  deer.  I went  to  London  a few  days  after  his 
visit,  and  when  I came  back  to  Somerset  in  the  autumn  his 
old  disease  had  returned  and  I never  had  any  more  talk  with 
him  about  Somerset  days,  which  I had  much  looked  forward  to 
doing.  The  extracts  from  Mr.  E.  J.  Esdaile,  sen.’s,  diary, 
with  which  I have  been  favoured,  show — “ that  in  1833,  during 
and  all  through  the  winter  months,  a hind  was  often  seen  in  the 
woods  on  Quantocks.  She  was  twice  found  and  hunted  by 
some  harriers.  I cannot  find  out  she  had  been  seen  during 
1834.  In  1836  mention  is  made  of  a stag’s  horn  being  picked 
up  in  £ one  of  our  (Mr.  Esdaile’s)  plantations  by  the  keeper.’ 
In  May,  1839,  three  hinds  from  Dulverton  were  turned  out  in 
Cockercombe,  one  five,  one  three,  and  the  other  one  year  old. 
There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  first  mentioned  beat  her 
way  back  again  on  May  18,  1840.  1 turned  out  two  more  hinds 
on  Quantock,  one  of  which — a ten-years-old  deer — had  been 
turned  out  before  the  staghounds  on  Gibb  Hill  on  the  15tli, 
and  after  a chase  of  seven  hours  was  re-taken  at  Heath’s 
House,  near  Huntspill — fifteen  miles  from  Bridgwater.”  In 
another  account  she  was  said  to  be  uncarted.  So  much  for  Mr, 


The  Red  Deer  on  the  Quantocks. 


27 


Esdaile’s  journal;  now  for  the  evidence  of  Wm.  Palmer, 
frankly  given  by  Mr.  Gres  well,  and  another  Wm.  Palmer,  who 
died  this  spring,  who  say  they  did  not  see  the  red  deer  on  the 
Quantocks  till  about  the  same  time — between  1830-40.  I 
would  observe  that  Mr.  Esdaile  was  a sportsman  second  to 
none  on  the  Quantocks.  He  was  given  the  command  by  Mr. 
Newton  Fellowes,  afterwards  Lord  Portsmouth — who  had 
failed  to  do  so  on  the  previous  day — to  kill  a deer  for  Sir  F. 
Knight,  the  details  of  which  are  given  Collyns,  p.  172  ; and  he, 
possessed  of  ample  means,  may  be  fairly  given  as  being  as  high 
an  authority  as  we  can  get.  Well,  who  were  the  Wm. 
Palmers  ? Why,  the  son  and  relation  of  John  Palmer,  well 
known  on  the  Quantocks  as  the  votary  of  sport,  though  I may 
say  never  on  his  own  land.  However,  he  died  just  ninety 
years  of  age,  a favourite  with  all,  and  who  said  to  my  wife  that 
he  liked  to  see  her,  but  he  wanted  now  to  see  the  ’squire,  be- 
cause he  kept  him  alive  with  his  brown  sherry.  Well,  is  not 
this  a most  extraordinary  undesigned  coincidence,  that  these 
two  in  their  different  classes  of  life  should  attribute  the  same 
time  for  the  introduction  of  red  deer  into  the  Quantocks,  the 
first  from  his  knowledge  of  what  he  had  done  himself  and  the 
other  from  his  observation  of  what  he  had  seen  on  the  Quan- 
tocks ? Mr.  Greswell  assumes  that  the  Quantocks  were  really 
a Koyal  forest ; he  says  that  the  red  deer  were  protected  by 
the  forest  laws.  If  they  had  been  Sabina  Peche  and  P.  de 
Hamme  would  not  have  sent  people  to  North  Petherton  at 
fawning  time,  and,  indeed,  they  would  have  been  themselves 
the  rangers.  As  for  the  argument  from  what  Leland  saw  at 
N ether  Stowey,  of  course  I am  aware  of  it,  as  part  of  the  land 
now  belongs  to  Mrs.  Stanley,  and  I have  often  read  the 
passage  in  Leland.  There  is  an  argument  that  the  permission 
to  enclose  shows  the  existence  of  deer,  as  they  were  to  stock 
the  enclosed  park.  But  I submit  that  the  Nether  Stowey  deer 
park  is  not  on  the  Quantocks  at  all.  I know  the  ground  well ; 
bought  from  H.  Harvey  by  Sir  P.  Acland  and  Lord  Taunton, 


28 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


to  whom  it  came  from  Mr.  Balch  ; it  is  the  old  manor  of  Lord 
Audley.  The  land  is  below  Nether  Stowey  village  in  what 
Leland  calls  a pretty  bottom.  At  Coripole,  now  Curry  pool, 
there  was  a deer  park  in  1585  ; at  Quantoxhead  the  Luttrells, 
at  Cothelstone  the  Stawells,  had  a deer  park,  but  I submit  that 
there  were  just  as  many  deer  parks  away  from  the  borders  of 
the  Quantocks,  and  two  of  these  were  not  on  the  Quantocks. 
Mr.  Speke,  of  Whitelackington,  Mr.  Champernowne  in  the 
same  neighbourhood,  and  the  largest  deer  park  of  all,  the  one 
at  Hinton  St.  George,  are  the  proofs  that  I would  adduce. 
Besides  these  three  there  was  the  Bishop  of  Winchester’s 
larger  deer  park  near  Taunton,  of  which  Cardinal  Beaufort 
made  Sir  H.  Luttrell  ranger.  There  is  no  proof  that  the 
Cardinal  ever  owned  Hals  way  except  that  his  natural  daughter, 
wife  of  Sir  E.  Stradling,  is  supposed  to  have  done  so,  and  Mr. 
Warre’s  allusion  to  his  hunting  on  the  Quantocks  is  of  too 
frivolous  a character  to  view  it  as  an  historical  statement.  In 
later  years  Col.  Luttrell  (that  would  be  after  1848)  found  deer 
on  the  Quantocks  when  he  kept  the  foxhounds,  but  they  were 
not  found  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  century.  In  1867  the 
Field  newspaper  congratulated  Sir  T.  Acland,  Lord  Taunton 
and  others,  on  the  fact  of  a herd  being  established  on  the 
Quantocks.  In  1846  I find  the  first  meet  recorded  in  Mr. 
Collyns’  book.  A lady  who  lives  at  Marsh  Mills  and  whose 
father  was  a most  intimate  friend  of  Mr.  Tom  Poole,  tells  me 
she  never  remembers  hearifig  of  the  red  deer  having  been  in 
their  time  on  the  Quantocks.  In  the  Coleridge- Wordsworth 
time  there  is  no  allusion  to  them.  I cannot  find  any  evidence 
that  there  were  red  deer  on  the  Quantocks  for  150  or  200 
years  before  Mr.  Esdaile  turned  some  out,  and  Mr.  Bisset  con- 
tinued to  do  so,  except  occasional  deer,  which  appeared  there, 
as  one  did  some  years  ago  at  Street,  and  one  for  the  last  four 
years  at  Clovellv.  I find  it  was  not  a Royal  Forest  or  the 
deer  there  protected  by  the  forest  laws,  and  I may  fairly  claim 
that  they  had  not  been  on  Quantock  before  1839,  since 


The  Red  Deer  on  the  Qnantocks. 


29 


the  time  that  they  generally  became  extinct  in  England. 

The  Rev.  F.  W.  Weaver  read  extracts  from  a paper  by 
Rev.  W.  Gres  well,  who  was  unable  to  attend.  It  took  a some- 
what different  viewr  of  the  subject,  coinciding  with  that  taken 
by  the  late  Rev.  F.  Warre  (Som.  Arch.  Soc.  Proceedings , 
v.  xn).  Mr.  Greswell’s  paper,  or  rather  the  substance  of  it, 
appeared  in  the  Somerset  County  Gazette Tor  October  8th,  1898. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Bkownlow  read  a learned  paper 
on  the  divisions  of  the  Bishoprics  of  Wessex  ( see  Part  II). 

The  President  cordially  thanked  Bishop  Brownlow  for 
his  paper,  and  expressed  pleasure  that  the  late  Bishop  Clifford’s 
successor  showed  such  ability  and  willingness  to  assist  them  in 
their  discussions. 

The  Rev.  Preb.  Holmes  rose  to  thank  Bishop  Brownlow 
for  his  valuable  paper,  and  for  calling  attention  to  the  Craw- 
ford Charters,  and  though  too  late  for  a serious  discussion, 
would  remark  that  up  to  the  appearance  of  these  documents  it 
would  seem  that  all  our  information  wras  derived  from  one 
source.  There  was  no  evidence  at  Rome,  either  of  the  letter 
of  Pope  Formosus  to  the  bishops  of  England,  audita  nefandos , 
or  of  the  threat  which  was  averted  by  the  consecrations  in  911. 
The  bishop  had  referred  to  Wilkins,  Mansi,  Cosart,  Labbe 
and  J affe,  but  all  these  gave  as  the  authority  for  their 
statement  William  of  Malmesbury,  who  gave  one  account 
in  his  Gesta  Regum  and  the  other  in  his  Gesta  Ponti- 
Jicum.  The  Crawford  papers,  however,  seem  to  suggest  that 
the  statements  made  in  the  Canterbury,  Winchester,  and  Cot- 
tonian MSS.  may  not  have  been  founded  on  Malmesbury,  but 
on  something  earlier,  and  that  probably  Malmesbury  had  before 
him  some  archetype  which  was  an  attempt  to  explain  the 
question,  and  of  which  he  gave  part  in  his  Gesta  Regum  and 
part  in  his  Gesta  Pontificum.  The  second  point  he  wrould 
remark  on  was  that  the  consecration  of  the  bishops  could  not 
have  been  earlier  than  910,  since  Asser  of  Sherborne  did  not 
die  till  909,  or  Frithstan  of  Winchester  before  906.  De  Gray 


30 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


Birch’s  heading  to  the  document  concerning  the  consecration 
gives  it  as  from  Formosus  to  Eadward,  which  is  ridiculous, 
seeing  that  the  Pope  died  five  years  before  Eadward  became 
king.  It  seems,  therefore,  that  an  attempt  has  been  made,  and 
probably  as  early  as  the  time  of  Eunstan,  to  make  as  one  story 
facts  connected  with  two  events.  First  there  was  the  letter 
which  is  probable,  and  cannot  reasonably  he  rejected,  of  Pope 
Formosus,  891-896,  to  the  English  bishops,  in  condemnation 
of  the  deplorable  condition  of  the  English  Church.  Organiza- 
tion was  wanting,  sees  were  vacant,  and  heathenism  was  gain- 
ing ground  again.  Then  there  may  have  been  another  message, 
probably  sent  by  Pope  Sergius  IV,  which  was  followed  by 
the  consecrations.  It  was  hardly  likely  that  there  had  ever 
been  any  signatures  to  the  charter,  because  it  would  almost 
seem  that  the  charter  was  only  an  after-thought,  drawn  up  to 
give  an  appearance  of  authority  to  an  historical  explanation  of 
an  event  that  had  occurred  three  generations  previously. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Richardson  read  a paper  on  St.  Anne's 
Chapel,  Brislington. 

This  closed  the  evening’s  proceedings. 

%cconD  Dap’s  procecDtngs. 

W ednesday  was  devoted  to  an  excursion  to  the  churches  on 
the  moors  lying  to  the  east  of  Taunton,  including  the  parishes 
of  Ruishton,  C reech  St.  Michael,  North  Curry,  Stoke  St. 
Gregory,  and  Thornfalcon.  A start  was  made  punctually  at 
9.30  in  brakes  from  Castle  Green,  the  party  numbering  about 
a hundred. 


Kuisbron  Cburcb 

The  first  place  visited  was  Ruishton,  where  the  church  was 
inspected.  Mr.  Buckle,  before  going  inside,  drew  attention 
to  the  charming  little  tower.  They  would  notice  that  its 
general  character  was  similar  to  a great  many  round  about 


Ruishton  Church. 


31 


that  part,  and  particularly  it  was  like  St.  James’s,  Taunton, 
and  Bishop’s  Lydeard,  only  on  a smaller  scale,  and  in  a differ- 
coloured  stone.  Ruishton  tower  was  built  of  blue  lias,  whereas 
the  Taunton  towers  were  built  of  red  sandstone  in  each 
case,  with  Ham  stone  dressings.  The  smallness  of  the  tower, 
combined  with  such  magnificent  and  effective  richness,  had  a 
striking  effect.  It  was  a remarkable  tower  in  another  way, 
because  they  happened  to  know  its  date.  In  Mr.  Weaver’s 
book  on  Wills  they  found  money  left  for  its  building  in  1530 
and  1533.  Considering  the  lateness  of  the  date,  the  building 
was  of  an  exceedingly  pure  style,  there  being  nothing  to 
suggest  that  it  was  absolutely  at  the  end  of  the  Perpendicular 
period.  According  to  tradition,  the  tower  was  never  finished, 
and  this  seemed  likely  to  be  true.  At  any  rate,  the  parapet 
and  pinnacles  were  now  missing,  and  if  they  were  ever  put  up, 
they  must  have  been  taken  down.  In  looking  at  the  tower  it 
would  be  seen  that  the  intention  of  the  builder  was  to  have  a 
parapet  and  pinnacles.  There  was  a fragment  of  a cross  in 
the  churchyard,  and  at  the  corner  of  the  church  was  a stone 
on  the  coign  carved  with  the  figure  of  a priest  in  the  act  of 
benediction.  Proceeding  inside  the  building,  Mr.  Buckle 
pointed  out  the  fragment  of  a Norman  doorway.  The  chapel 
and  probably  also  the  walls  of  the  chancel  were  of  the  early 
English  period,  probably  12th  century.  The  east  window  of 
the  chapel  was  very  charming,  with  delicate  tracery.  It  was 
a form  of  geometrical  window  which  was  met  with  here  and 
there  round  about  Somerset,  the  most  noteworthy  being  that  at 
Middlezoy,  which  they  visited  last  year.  All  the  rest  of  the 
church  was,  as  usual,  Perpendicular.  They  would  notice  how 
curiously  the  church  was  planned,  the  chancel  being  completely 
out  of  line  with  the  nave,  with  a little  window  near  the  pulpit 
looking  from  the  nave  into  the  chancel,  and  a doorway  leading 
from  the  chancel  into  the  chapel.  The  arcade  between  the 
chapel  and  the  nave  was  a pretty  piece  of  work.  The  font 
was  a remarkable  example,  richly  carved  all  over,  and  stand- 


32  Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

ing  upon  five  legs.  There  were  some  fragments  of  old  wood 
carving  in  the  present  reredos,  which  probably  came  from  the 
screen,  as  there  clearly  was  a rood  screen  there.  On  the  north 
was  a large  staircase,  with  a pretty  window  in  it.  In  front  of 
the  reredos  was  a beautiful  picture,  of  which  he  would  be  glad 
to  hear  the  history. 

Prebendary  Ask  with  said  the  tradition  was  that  in  the 
last  century  the  picture  was  presented  to  the  church  by  a 
member  of  Mr.  Murray  Anderdon’s  family,  of  Henlade,  but 
no  record  could  be  found  of  it.  Probably  about  that  time  a 
great  many  Flemish  pictures  came  to  England  and  were  pre- 
sented to  churches,  as  this  one  was  said  to  have  been. 

The  Rev.  E.  H.  Bates  kindly  sends  the  following  note : 
“ Among  the  fragments  of  coloured  glass  in  the  windows  is  a 
representation  of  a chalice  in  ‘yellow  stain,’  interesting  in  that 
the  foot  of  the  chalice  has  small  toes  at  each  projecting  angle. 
This  ornamentation  was  in  fashion  from  1490  to  1510,  or 
thereabouts.” 


Cteecfi  St.  8@k&ael  Ctmrcf). 

The  party  were  next  driven  to  Creech  St.  Michael,  and 
proceeding  to  the  church  they  were  received  by  the  Vicar,  the 
Rev.  James  Bownes.  Mr.  Buckle,  in  describing  the  features 
of  the  building,  said  that  at  first  glance  they  would  be 
inclined  to  say  that  this  was  a thoroughly  Perpendicular 
church,  with  the  exception  of  the  arches  they  came  in  by  ; but 
the  contrary  was  the  fact.  Almost  the  entire  walls  of  the 
church  were  of  the  12th  century,  and  the  large  nave  was 
of  that  date.  The  outer  arch  of  the  porch  was  in  the  charac- 
teristic Somerset  style,  which  was  called  “ Early  Somerset.” 
They  would  notice  in  the  tower  that  two  of  the  arches  were 
Early  English,  but  that  looking  into  the  aisle  towards  the 
west  was  a Perpendicular  arch,  which  was  inserted  when  the 
aisle  was  added.  The  upper  part  of  the  early  tower  remained, 


1 


< 


NORTH  CURRY  CHURCH,  INTERIOR. 


North  Curry  Church. 


33 


but  above  that  a Perpendicular  belfry  had  been  added,  as  was 
often  the  case.  Though  the  old  walls  remained,  with  the 
exception  of  the  arches  and  the  south  porch,  there  was 
nothing  left  of  the  features  of  the  early  church.  All  the 
windows  had  been  inserted  at  later  periods.  The  most  re- 
markable feature  of  the  chapel  on  the  north  w^as  a gallery  in 
the  thickness  of  the  wall  which  formed  the  approach  to  the 
rood  loft,  through  a doorway  which  was  now  blocked.  There 
was  a great  deal  that  was  very  rich  about  the  Perpendicular 
work,  and  there  were  two  nice  niches  on  the  pillars  besides 
some  elaborate  work  leading  into  the  transept.  The  windows 
in  the  transept  were  curious,  the  lower  ones  having  quaint 
Cusping.  The  roof  was  very  rich  and  had  elaborate  carvings. 
A piece  of  the  rood  screen  remained,  which  had  been  cut 
off  just  above  the  lower  panels.  There  were  some  fragments 
about  the  chancel  of  other  old  wood  work,  and  there  were  a 
few  bench  ends.  A curious  desk  was  made  out  of  a variety 
of  these  fragments,  which  bore  the  date  1634.  The  church 
contained  a monument  in  the  north  chapel  of  the  Cuff  family. 
Outside,  over  the  west  window,  was  a figure  of  the  Trinity. 
The  stocks  w^ere  still  standing  in  the  churchyard  under  one  of 
the  two  fine  old  yew  trees. 

The  Bev.  J.  Bownes  exhibited  the  communion  plate  and 
the  registers,  the  earliest  date  of  the  latter  being  1641.  Dur- 
ing a discussion  on  the  origin  of  the  name  of  the  parish,  Pre- 
bendary Ask  with  expressed  the  opinion  that  it  wras  derived 
from  u creek.55 

jQortl)  €urrp  Cfmrcf). 

The  next  church  visited  was  that  at  North  Curry,  which  is 
considered  to  be  one  of  the  finest  edifices  of  its  kind  in  the 
county.  Mr.  Buckle,  in  describing  its  features,  first  of  all 
called  attention  to  its  remarkably  fine  octagonal  tower.  There 
were,  he  said,  a good  many  octagonal  towers  scattered  about 


V ol.  XL1  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  /. 


E 


34 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting . 


Somerset,  such  as  at  Stoke  St.  Gregory,  which  they  would 
visit  that  afternoon,  South  Petherton,  Bishop’s  Hull,  and 
Pitminster.  But  in  almost  every  case  they  Avere  the  work  of 
the  latter  part  of  the  12th  century,  very  early  in  the  Early 
English  style.  As  a rule  they  found  that  the  tower  was  raised 
afterwards  in  the  Perpendicular  period,  and  another  storey 
put  on.  But  except  for  that  one  at  North  Curry,  he  did  not 
think  there  was  any  example  in  the  county  of  a tower  of  that 
form  which  was  begun  so  late  as  that  apparently  was.  There 
appeared  to  be  nothing  earlier  in  that  church  than  1300.  The 
principal  part  of  the  tower,  the  belfry  storey  and  the  octagon 
appeared  to  be  later  than  that,  but  the  piers  and  arches  re- 
maining in  the  centre  of  the  church  under  the  tower,  and  the 
transepts  were  of  the  beginning  of  the  Decorated  period.  The 
elaborate  moulding  of  the  pillars  with  the  capitals,  and  then 
the  internal  arches  of  the  two  windows  in  the  transepts — all 
that  work  was  also  of  this  date.  Thus,  they  had  an  example 
of  a cruciform  church,  with  central  octagonal  tower,  founded 
at  this  comparatively  late  date.  The  church  then  built  was 
without  aisles,  and  the  chancel  and  nave  were  of  the  same 
large  size  as  at  present.  He  called  attention  to  the  very 
curious  arrangement  of  the  tower  piers ; there  were  two 
elaborately  moulded  piers  on  the  east  side,  whereas  on  the 
west  side  there  were  comparatively  plain  ones,  and,  in  both 
cases,  there  were  stone  seats  carried  round  the  base,  an 
unusual  feature  to  find  in  a building  which  was  only  a parish 
church.  In  reference  to  that,  he  might  remark  that  North 
Curry  church  was  often  called  “ the  cathedral  of  the  moors,” 
on  account  of  its  grandeur,  and  of  the  way  in  which  it  over- 
looked the  moor.  The  church  had  not  been  built  any  length 
of  time  before  it  became  desirable  to  add  on  aisles,  which  was 
done  about  the  middle  of  the  14th  century,  but  they  wrere 
not  so  lofty  as  those  of  to-day,  consequently  the  original 
arches  were  not  so  lofty  as  at  present.  With  regard  to  the 
original  church,  although  the  nave  was  of  the  same  size  as 


North  Curry  Church. 


3 5 


the  present,  he  should  explain  that  it  was  not  nearly  so 
high  and  was  covered  with  a pointed  roof.  When  the  aisles 
were  added  clerestory  windows  were  put  in,  and  the  position  of 
those  windows  could  now  be  clearly  traced  below  the  present 
clerestory,  while  in  two  places  they  had  been  opened  after 
having  been  for  some  time  sealed  up.  At  the  time  that  the 
aisles  were  added  a porch  in  a rather  curious  position  on  the 
north  side  immediately  to  the  west  of  the  north  transept  was 
destroyed.  The  second  enlargement  appeared  to  have  been  a 
heightening,  there  being  no  addition  to  the  church  unless  the 
south  porch  was  entirely  of  that  date.  Outside  the  porch  they 
would  observe  three  niches.  The  original  window  of  the  south 
transept  was  still  there,  and  at  the  east  end  of  the  chancel 
there  were  indications  of  the  pointed  roof.  There  were  a 
couple  of  interesting  monuments,  one  in  the  north  aisle  and  one 
in  the  chapel,  while  another  striking  object  was  a fine  candel- 
abrum depending  from  the  roof  in  the  middle  of  the  nave.  In 
the  churchyard  at  the  time  of  the  Dissolution  there  was  a 
chantry  chapel,  a separate  building  which  must  have  been  of 
considerable  size  and  great  elaboration.  When  the  chantries 
were  abolished  the  building  materials  of  the  chapel  were  valued 
at  £15,  which  must  have  been  a very  large  sum  to  give  for  old 
materials  in  those  days.  If  they  multiplied  it  by  ten  they 
would  get  an  approximation  to  its  modern  value. 

Lieut.-Col.  Bramble  proceeded  to  give  some  information 
respecting  the  monuments.  He  said  the  one  in  the  chancel 
would  correspond  with  the  decorated  portion  of  the  church. 
It  was  the  effigy  of  a civilian  in  the  dress  of  the  latter  half  of 
the  14th  century,  about  1360.  It  had  on  a lay  gown  with  tight 
sleeves  coming  to  the  wrist,  over  that  other  sleeves  ending  just 
below  the  elbow,  and  over  that  again  a kind  of  tippet.  There 
was  a remarkable  number  of  these  effigies  both  in  Somerset- 
shire and  elsewhere.  This  effigy  had  its  head  resting  on  a 
cushion,  and  at  one  time  there  was  an  angel  supporting  the 
figure,  but  the  angel  had  all  been  cut  away  except  one  hand 


36 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

supporting  the  head,  and  the  other  resting  on  the  shoulder. 
With  regard  to  the  other  effigy  the  vicar  had  asked  him 
whether  it  had  come  from  the  Abbey  of  Athelney,  but  the  fact 
that  it  was  an  emaciated  figure,  not  a skeleton  but  a cadaver , 
did  not  necessarily  imply  that  it  came  from  a monastic  estab- 
lishment. It  was  the  fashion  in  those  days  to  represent  persons 
in  the  same  way  as  they  were  when  lying  in  the  tomb.  Under- 
neath the  effigy  were  figures  dressed  as  friars  telling  their 
beads.  It  might  have  come  from  Athelney,  but  there  was 
nothing  on  it  to  lead  him  to  conclude  that  it  did. 

Preb.  Buller,  the  vicar,  was  called  upon  to  say  a few 
words.  He  stated  that  the  monument  in  the  chancel  had  an 
inscription  upon  it,  it  was  either  John  or  Thomas  of  Slough,* 
that  was  Slough  Farm.  He  found  in  the  register  that  Bishop 
Ralph,  of  Shrewsbury,  in  January,  1337,  gave  two  licenses  to 
John  of  Slough,  of  North  Curry,  to  have  divine  service  cele- 
brated in  his  oratory  at  Slough  for  a year  (S.R.S.  ix,  315). 
That  effigy  might  represent  the  person. 

Mr.  Buckle  added  that  there  was  a Norman  doorway  in 
the  north  aisle  which  had  belonged  to  an  earlier  church,  and 
been  rebuilt  in  its  present  position.  The  old  parish  registers 
and  the  communion  plate  were  then  inspected,  and  there  was 
also  shown  a couple  of  pewters  which  were  in  use  in  public 
houses  at  the  time  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  which  were  in- 
troduced into  churches  by  the  Puritans  to  show  their  disregard 
for  the  sacredness  of  material  things. 

Luncfjeon  at  8©oreDon. 

The  party  next  proceeded  to  Moredon,  where  they  were  hos- 
pitably entertained  to  luncheon  by  Major  and  Mrs.  Barrett. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  repast, 

The  President  (Mr.  Stanley)  thanked  Major  and  Mrs. 
Barrett  for  the  splendid  hospitality  which  they  had  shown. 

* [I  read  the  inscription  “ Tlioma  [ ]ore  atte  Sloo.” — Ed.] 


Slough  House . 


37 


Personally,  lie  had  so  often  enjoyed  their  hospitality  that 
he  knew  what  it  always  was,  and  he  was  sure  that  that 
day  they  were  most  grateful  to  them  for  continuing  the  kind- 
ness which  they  showed  to  the  Society  twenty-six  years  ago. 
He  (the  President)  only  hoped  that  Major  and  Mrs.  Barrett 
Avould  be  willing  to  show  them  the  same  hospitality  twenty- 
six  years  hence.  Every  detail  that  could  possibly  have  been 
thought  of  had  been  attended  to  in  order  to  ensure  the  com- 
plete satisfaction  of  the  guests. 

“ The  health  of  Major  and  Mrs.  Barrett  and  their  family  ” 
was  drunk  with  enthusiastic  cheers. 

Major  Barrett  replied,  and  said  he  could  assure  the 
company  that  it  had  given  Mrs.  Barrett  and  himself  very 
great  pleasure  indeed  to  receive  the  Society  a second  time. 
When  he  heard  that  they  were  coming  to  North  Curry  his 
mind  ivas  carried  back  to  their  last  visit,  and  he  was  surprised 
to  hear  from  Mr.  Bidgood  that  it  was  so  long  ago  as  twenty- 
six  years.  He  was  very  glad  to  hear  that  there  was  a chance 
of  that  fine  old  room,  the  Castle  Hall,  being  turned  to  some 
good  account,  for  it  had  been  rather  a cause  of  anxiety  to  him 
not  to  see  it  used  to  better  purposes.  The  inhabitants  of 
Taunton  must  feel  grateful  to  the  Society  for  having  preserved 
to  them  such  an  historic  building  as  Taunton  Castle,  and  it 
was,  therefore,  their  duty  to  support  the  Society,  the  member- 
ship of  which,  he  trusted,  would  increase. 

The  company  then  adjourned  to  the  grounds,  where  a 
further  pleasant  time  was  spent  in  strolling  about,  the  weather 
being  delightful. 


Plough  J^ouse. 

The  party  was  next  driven  to  Slough  House,  which,  by 
kind  permission  of  the  owner,  the  Hon.  H.  P.  Gore-Langton, 
and  of  Mr.  Thomas  Hembrow,  the  tenant,  was  thrown  open  to 
inspection.  The  building  is  in  a good  state  of  preservation, 
and  it  has  all  the  proportions  of  an  Elizabethan  manor  house. 


38 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


The  party,  or  as  many  as  could  get  into  one  of  the  principal 
rooms,  having  assembled,  Mr.  Buckle  proceeded  to  give  a 
description  of  the  building.  He  said  that  the  room  in  which 
they  were  gathered  was  part  of  the  hall.  They  would  have 
noticed  as  they  came  in  that  the  porch  had  a beautiful  facing 
of  stone  in  alternate  courses  of  blue  lias  and  Ham  Hill,  which 
made  altogether  a very  charming  variety  of  colour.  On  enter- 
ing the  porch  they  passed  through  a screen  of  timber,  and 
afterwards  they  found  themselves  in  another  narrow  passage 
before  entering  that  room.  That  passage  was  originally  part 
of  the  hall,  which  then  extended  as  far  as  the  timber  screen. 
The  house  was  of  the  16th  century,  and  the  style  of  the  archi- 
tecture was  Gothic.  Instead  of  having  a large  open  roof, 
however,  this  hall  had  a fine  timber  ceiling  with  rooms  over. 
At  the  principal  end  of  the  hall  they  would  have  expected  to 
find  one,  if  not  two  bay  windows  ; and,  indeed,  two  arches 
remained,  one  of  which  originally  led  into  a bay  window,  the 
other  into  a recess  which  originally  contained  a flight  of  steps 
going  downward,  and  passing  through  a doorway.  Where  the 
door  led  to  he  could  not  say ; perhaps  to  the  moat,  possibly 
only  to  a cellar. 

Mr.  Hem  brow,  the  tenant,  showed  a portion  of  carved  stone- 
work, which  was  discovered  in  a wall  of  the  building  during 
some  repairs,  and  was  considered  to  have  been  part  of  the 
ancient  oratory  which  was  formerly  there. 

The  Rev.  H.  F.  S.  Gurney,  vicar  of  Stoke  St.  Gregory, 
expressed  his  opinion  that  the  house  had  a history  as  far  back 
as  King  J ohn,  and  there  were  formerly  a J ack  of  Slough  and  a 
J ack  of  Knapp,  who  had  to  provide  a feast  in  accordance  with 
the  customs  of  the  manor. 

After  the  inspection,  Lieut.-Col.  Bramble,  on  behalf  of 
the  Society,  thanked  Mr.  Hembrow  very  cordially  for  his 
kindness  in  allowing  them  to  visit  the  house,  and  Mr.  Hem- 
brow,  in  reply,  said  he  was  very  pleased  to  have  had  the 
opportunity  of  letting  the  members  see  it. 


STOKE  ST.  GREGORY  TOWER,  FROM  NORTH-WEST. 


Stoke  St.  Gregory  Church. 


39 


The  Rev.  E.  H.  Bates  sends  the  following  additional  notes 
on  Slough  Court  : 

The  original  owners  of  this  place,  from  which  they  took 
their  name  of  “ de  la  Slo  ” or  “ at  Sloo,”  seem  to  have  given 
place  during  the  reign  of  Richard  II  to  the  family  of  Montague 
of  Sutton  Montis  and  Weston  Bampfield  in  this  county.  On 
the  death  of  the  head  of  the  family,  temp.  Henry  VIII,  these 
two  manors  passed  to  three  co-heiresses  and  their  descendants  ; 
hut  Slough  seems  to  have  been  settled  at  some  earlier  date  on 
a younger  son,  and  the  arms  of  Montague  appear  on  an  Eliza- 
bethan tomb  in  the  churchyard.  The  Rev.  H.  F.  S.  Gurney, 
vicar  of  Stoke  St.  Gregory,  has  found  in  the  register  entries 
relating  to  the  family  down  to  1600,  when  they  seem  to  have 
died  out.  Slough  afterwards  belonged  to  the  family  of  Court, 
and  several  monuments  will  be  found  in  the  south  transept  of 
Stoke  Church. 

©tofee  ©regorg  Cfmrcfr. 

The  church  of  Stoke  St.  Gregory  was  next  visited,  which 
Mr.  Buckle  said  was  similar  in  many  respects  to  the  one  at 
North  Curry,  but  the  foundation  was  considerably  older. 
Here  the  octagonal  tower  was  of  the  early  date,  when  octagonal 
towers  were  commonly  built,  namely,  the  latter  part  of  the 
12th  century.  The  original  church,  like  the  one  at  North 
Curry,  was  of  cruciform  shape  without  aisles.  The  church 
must  be  regarded  to  some  extent  as  the  one  from  which  the 
builders  at  North  Curry  took  their  design,  although  they 
might  have  brought  more  skill  to  bear  upon  it  and  had  more 
funds  to  work  upon.  The  nave  at  Stoke  St.  Gregory  was 
wider  than  the  transepts.  But  the  builder  wanted  to  get  a 
true  octagon  over  the  crossing,  and  in  order  to  do  so  he  had  to 
get  a true  square  base.  Consequently  the  arches  into  the 
transepts  were  made  thicker  and  richer  than  the  nave  and 
chancel  arch ; above  these  arches  the  squinches  under  the 


40  Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

octagon  were  visible  within  the  church.  These  arches  had  no 
capitals,  but  they  had  most  remarkable  bases,  which  when  un- 
covered at  the  restoration  turned  out  to  be  Early  English 
capitals  upside  down.  It  was  a great  conundrum  how  they 
got  in  that  position.  It  would  be  observed  that  the  whole  of 
those  arches  were  built  of  Ham  stone,  whereas  the  upper  part 
of  the  tower  and  the  upper  ring  of  the  side  arches  were  built  of 
the  native  stone — a very  beautiful  grey  sandstone.  It  had 
been  suggested  that  at  some  time  or  other  the  original  sand- 
stone arches  had  been  taken  down  and  re-erected  in  Ham 
stone.  In  the  south  transept  there  were  two  windows  of  the 
early  period,  brd  he  thought  beyond  that  there  was  nothing 
left  of  the  original  12th  century  church,  and  the  whole  of  the 
present  architectural  features  with  the  exception  of  those  he 
had  mentioned,  dated  from  the  latter  part  of  the  15th  century, 
the  period  when  the  aisles  were  added.  It  was  interesting  to 
note  that  in  the  churchyard,  on  the  north  side  of  the  church, 
there  was  an  altar  tomb  with  quatrefoils  round  it,  and  upon 
the  centre  panel  of  each  side  were  the  Montacute  arms  with 
the  initials  J.  M.,  while  the  Montacute  coat  was  repeated  on 
two  capitals  in  the  south  transept.  Of  the  furniture  of  the 
church  the  font  was,  perhaps,  the  most  remarkable  feature.  It 
was  an  octagonal  font  with  quatrefoils  worked  round  it,  one  on 
each  face.  Four  patterns  were  used,  each  being  repeated  on 
two  adjoining  sides.  Though  it  was  ingeniously  worked  he  did 
not  think  anybody  could  say  it  was  a beautiful  font.  A good 
many  of  the  bench  ends  remained.  The  pulpit  was  a very  in- 
teresting piece  of  carved  woodwork,  the  figures  thereon  repre- 
senting Time,  Faith,  Hope  and  Charity,  on  each  of  which  the 
symbols  were  very  strongly  marked,  and  a fifth  towards  the 
east,  which  was  extremely  puzzling.  A large  reading  desk 
formerly  stood  in  the  church,  but  this  had  now  been  converted 
into  a vestry  cupboard.  On  this  were  figures  of  women,  Avith 
oil  lamps,  supposed  to  represent  the  five  wise  virgins.  Mr. 
Buckle,  in  conclusion,  drew  attention  to  the  stocks  which 


Conversazione. 


41 


could  be  seen  in  the  churchyard,  under  a yew  tree,  as  at 
Creech  St.  Michael. 

The  Rev.  H.  F.  S.  Gurney  afterwards  showed  the  church- 
plate  and  the  registers  in  the  schoolroom. 

Cfjotnfalcon  Cfnitcfj. 

From  Stoke  St.  Gregory  the  drive  was  continued  to  the 
small  but  picturesque  church  of  Thornfalcon.  The  visitors 
were  met  by  the  Rev.  J.  D.  Bailey,  the  curate-in-charge,  and 
Lieut.-Col.  Bramble,  in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Buckle,  gave  some 
particulars  of  the  building.  He  said  that  it  was  a 14th  century 
church,  with  reticulated  windows  with  quatrefoils.  There 
used  to  be  a rood  loft  over  the  entrance  to  the  chancel,  ex- 
tending along  the  top  of  the  screen,  and  the  marks  where  the 
screen  had  been  fixed  were  still  visible.  There  being  no 
clerestory,  a window  had  been  put  in  on  the  north  side,  almost 
parallel  with  the  screen,  to  light  the  rood  loft.  On  the  other 
side  another  window  had  been  put  in  to  light  the  pulpit. 
There  were  several  interesting  bench  ends,  and  the  dates  had 
been  carried  on  since,  one  being  1542.  Just  inside  the  entrance 
to  the  doorway  was  a holy-water  basin,  and  inside  the  church 
on  the  south  side  was  a kind  of  niche,  almost  resembling  an 
almonry,  the  purpose  of  which  was  not  known. 

In  response  to  the  kind  invitation  of  Major  and  Mrs. 
Chisholm  Batten,  the  members  adjourned  to  the  rectory  lawn 
for  tea.  This  over,  and  Mr.  E.  J.  Stanley,  M.P.,  having,  on 
behalf  of  the  Society,  thanked  Major  and  Mrs.  Chisholm 
Batten  for  their  kind  hospitality,  the  homeward  journey  was 
commenced,  Taunton  being  reached  about  seven  o’clock,  thus 
bringing  a most  enjoyable  and  interesting  excursion  to  a close. 

Conversazione. 

In  the  evening  a conversazione  was  held  in  the  Castle  Hall, 
and  there  was  a very  good  attendance,  Mr.  Stanley,  M.P., 


V 61.  XL IV  ( Third  Series,  Vol.  I V ),  Part  I. 


v 


42 


Fiftieth,  Annual  Meeting. 


and  the  Bishop  of  Clifton  being  among  those  present.  Mr.  F. 
W.  Baker’s  Tannton  quadrille  hand  was  engaged  for  the 
occasion.  Songs  were  given  by  Mr.  Frank  White  and  Miss 
Barnicott,  and  the  remainder  of  the  evening  was  devoted  to 
conversation  among  the  members. 

Cfrirti  Dap’s  proceeDtngs 

On  Thursday  an  excursion  was  made  to  the 

€ttp  of  ®mer. 

The  Great  Western  Railway  Company,  with  their  usual  readi- 
ness on  such  occasions,  issued  excursion  tickets  for  the  visit, 
and  the  intention  was  to  provide  special  carriages  by  the  10.18 
a.m.  express  train.  The  party,  however,  proved  to  be  a larger 
one  than  was  anticipated,  numbering  altogether  100.  Mr. 
Lailey,  the  stationmaster,  thereupon  promptly  made  arrange- 
ments for  a special  train  to  convey  the  visitors,  which  left 
Taunton  at  10.20,  running  in  advance  of  the  regular  express. 
Exeter  was  reached  without  stopping,  after  a smart  run  of 
forty  minutes.  The  party  at  once  proceeded  to  the  ancient 
Guildhall,  where  they  were  received  in  state  by  the  Mayor 
(Alderman  Pople),  the  Sheriff  (Mr.  Delpratt  Harris),  and  the 
Deputy-Mayor  (Alderman  Pring). 

The  Mayor  expressed  the  great  pleasure  it  gave  him5<  on 
behalf  of  the  Corporation,  to  welcome  the  Society  to  Exeter. 
He  mentioned  that  some  twenty-five  years  ago  the  city  was 
honoured  by  a visit  of  the  members  of  the  Archeological 
Society  of  Great  Britain,  who,  during  their  stay,  were  so  pleased 
with  what  they  saw  that  they  subsequently  presented  to  the  city 
the  gold  chain  of  office  which  he  was  then  wearing.  The  Town 
Clerk  (Mr.  Shorto)  was  present,  and  would  be  pleased  to  show 
them  some  of  the  old  records,  and  give  a description  of  them. 

Mr.  E.  .1.  Stanley,  M.P.,  as  President  of  the  Society, 


The  City  of  Exeter. 


43 


thanked  the  Major  for  the  kind  way  in  which  he  had  received 
them.  They  had  only  gone  four  times  out  of  the  county  of 
Somerset  since  the  Society  had  been  in  existence,  and  they 
thought  that,  as  they  were  now  celebrating  their  Jubilee,  they 
could  not  do  better  than  spend  one  day  in  a city  which  was, 
perhaps,  more  interesting  than  any  other  in  their  immediate 
neighbourhood.  If  the  Town  Clerk  would  be  good  enough  to 
show  them  some  of  the  ancient  documents  it  would  afford  them 
very  much  pleasure. 

The  Town  Clerk  then  explained  that  the  Guildhall  was 
built  in  the  year  1330,  and  the  walls  and  the  roof  were  the 
same  as  the  original  structure.  The  fine  oak  panelling  round 
the  hall  was  put  up  in  the  year  1588.  It  was  formerly  painted 
and  grained  to  represent  mahogany  until  about  twelve  years 
ago,  when  such  an  undesirable  covering  was  removed.  They 
would  notice  some  fine  paintings  on  the  walls.  One  was  a 
portrait  of  Princess  Henrietta,  daughter  of  Charles  I,  born 
in  Exeter,  and  another  was  of  General  Monk,  who  took  such 
a leading  part  in  the  Restoration  of  Charles  II.  Both  pictures 
were  painted  by  Sir  Peter  Leley.  Some  swords  were  next 
shown,  one  of  which  was  presented  to  the  city  by  Edward  I, 
and  another  by  Henry  VII.  The  Town  Clerk  proceeded  to 
give  an  interesting  summary  of  the  history  of  Exeter  from 
early  times.  There  were  2,000  old  deeds  and  48  Royal 
Charters.  These  had  of  late  all  been  carefully  arranged  by  Mr. 
Stuart  Moore,  of  the  Record  office.  One  of  the  oldest  charters 
they  had  was  in  the  reign  of  Henry  II.  The  common  seal  of 
Exeter  was  passed  round  among  the  company  for  inspection. 
It  had,  said  the  Town  Clerk,  been  in  use  for  over  600  years. 
He  had  been  told  that  the  common  seal  used  in  Taunton  was 
very  similar  to  that  of  Exeter,  but  some  people  thought  that 
that  of  Taunton  was  a reproduction  of  the  one  at  Exeter. 
The  wax  imprint  of  the  seal  of  the  Somerset  town  was  also 
handed  round  for  inspection,  and  the  Town  Clerk  said  that  it 
seemed  very  clear  that  both  were  made  by  the  same  man. 


44 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


Cfje  Cat&eBral. 

A visit  was  next  made  to  the  Cathedral,  so  rich  in  archi- 
tectural beauty  of  form  and  colour.  The  party  was  received 
by  Canon  Edmonds,  who  for  about  two  hours  entertained 
his  listeners  with  a most  interesting,  lucid,  and  scholarly  des- 
cription of  the  principal  features  of  the  noble  pile.  The  Canon 
having  been  cordially  thanked  for  his  address, 

A move  was  next  made  to  “ Mol’s  Coffee  House  ” (a  build- 
ing of  1 396),  and  St.  Martin’s  Church  was  afterwards  visited. 
By  this  time  the  visitors  were  ready  for  luncheon,  which  was 
served  at  the  New  London  Hotel.  The  afternoon  was  spent 
in  visiting  the  Castle,  St.  Pancras  Church,  St.  Mary  Arches 
Church,  and  St.  Mary  Steps  Church,  while  a few  went  to 
the  Museum.  The  return  journey  was  made  in  the  special 
train  at  4.52,  Taunton  being  reached  about  5.45.  This  brought 
third  day’s  proceedings  to  an  end,  and  the  general  expression 
was  that  the  visit  had  been  a most  enjoyable  one,  and  the 
beautifully  fine  weather  added  much  to  the  pleasure. 


Cbe  jFouctf)  Dap’0  ProcecDings. 

The  members  assembled  at  half-past  nine  on  Friday  morn- 
ing for  a tour  in  brakes  through  the  Norton  and  Bishop’s 
Lydeard  district.  The  first  halting  place  was 

J13orton  jFtt^toarten  Cburcb, 

where  the  services  of  Mr.  Buckle  were,  as  usual,  requisitioned. 
He  pointed  out  that  the  walls  of  the  church  were  for  the  most 
part  very  modern,  and  as  to  how  far  they  were  a reproduction 
of  the  old  work  he  could  not  tell.  The  chancel,  at  any  rate, 
seemed  entirely  modern,  and  all  the  windows  were  formed  in 
the  new  stone,  but  in  all  probability  the  windows  were  repro- 
ductions of  the  old.  The  arcade  supporting  the  nave  from  the 


Norton  Fitzwarren  Church. 


45 


aisle  was  apparently  original  13th  century  work,  but  it  seemed 
to  have  been  considerably  altered,  and  he  should  think  it  must 
have  been  taken  down  and  rebuilt,  with  the  exception  of  the 
respond  next  the  tower.  A great  feature  of  the  church  was 
the  tower.  It  had  true  grandeur  of  a simple  character,  but 
with  rather  elaborate  carving  at  a few  points.  The  tower,  so 
to  speak,  was  a straggler,  so  close  to  Taunton  ; in  character  it 
resembled  those  to  be  found  in  W est  Somerset — at  Minehead 
and  St.  Decuman’s,  and  on  the  other  side  of  the  Quantocks. 
They  met  several  of  them  in  their  expeditions  from  Bridg- 
water the  previous  year.  Here,  however,  it  seemed  curious  to 
find  a tower  of  this  type  mixed  in  with  the  much  richer  towers 
wdth  which  the  district  abounds.  Besides  the  two  at  Taunton, 
others  they  were  going  to  visit  at  Bishop’s  Lydeard  and 
Lydeard  St.  Lawrence,  would  prove  to  be  fine  specimens  of 
the  more  elaborate  tower  which  they  generally  met  with  in  the 
middle  of  Somerset,  so  that  that  tower  seemed  in  some  degree 
to  be  out  of  place.  Almost  the  only  decorative  features  were 
the  elaborate  niche  head  on  the  south  and  the  very  large 
gargoyles  to  be  found  on  all  sides  and  at  different  levels. 
Another  point  of  interest  about  the  church  was  the  screen. 
The  figures  standing  on  the  rood  loft  were  modern,  and  some 
of  the  mouldings  on  the  top  of  the  cornice,  but  except  that,  the 
screen  itself  was  all  old,  and  in  an  uncommonly  good  state  of 
preservation.  The  cornice  was  a very  remarkable  one  on 
account  of . the  curious  variation  in  the  carving.  The  upper 
range  of  moulding  (a  grape  vine  of  the  ordinary  character)  was 
on  a very  coarse  scale,  and  seemed  to  be  more  suitable  for  the 
roof.  It  was  surprising  to  find  it  in  its  present  position, 
especially  when  they  saw  the  delicate  succession  of  mouldings 
below,  and  it  seemed  to  him  a question  whether  that  particular 
moulding  belonged  to  the  screen  at  all.  The  grape  vine  below 
was  full  of  the  most  delicate  work,  and  the  grapes  and  leaves 
were  on  a much  smaller  scale.  They  certainly  could  not  have 
been  carved  by  the  same  people  for  the  same  purpose.  The 


46 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

moulding  below  that  again  was  a very  curious  one.  Right  in 
the  centre  they  saw  a plough,  drawn  by  three  pair  of  oxen  and 
driven  by  a man  with  a whip  over  his  shoulder.  After  that 
came  some  very  curious  figures,  including  a man  with  a bow, 
which  seemed  to  him  to  have  got  out  of  place.  He  thought 
the  carvings  in  that  moulding  had  been  taken  down  some  time 
or  other  and  had  not  been  put  together  properly.  The  man  as 
at  present  placed  seemed  to  be  shooting  the  oxen,  and  if  they 
looked  further  along  they  saw  some  hounds  which  appeared  to 
belong  to  the  man  with  the  bow.  In  addition  to  those  things 
mentioned  there  were  two  dragons,  one  swallowing  a man. 
Farther  along  still  they  came  across  the  inscription  “Raphe 
Harris,  C.W.,”  implying  that  he  was  churchwarden  at  the 
time  the  screen  was  first  erected.  That  was  very  interesting, 
for  although  they  were  quite  used  to  seeing  churchwardens’ 
names  on  work  carved  out  during  the  last  two  hundred  years, 
it  was  by  no  means  so  usual  to  find  churchwardens  putting 
their  names  on  work  at  the  beginning  of  the  16th  century. 
At  the  extreme  end  there  were  two  figures — probably  intended 
for  women — one  having  hold  of  the  other’s  hair,  while  in  the 
other  hand  each  held  a rod. 

The  Rector,  the  Rev.  W.  Pkowse  Hewett,  read  an 
extract  from  the  Church  Times  of  1886,  with  regard  to  the 
screen,  which  was  as  follows: — “The  screen  at  Norton  is 
little  known.  F orty  years  ago,  the  rich  painting  and  gilding 
were  daubed  over  a light  oak  colour.  It  has  suffered  too  in 
other  ways.  When  the  church  was  defaced,  at  the  time  of 
the  restoration,  it  was  entirely  taken  down,  and  only  put  back 
by  the  energy  of  the  present  rector,  and  then  against  the  ad- 
vice of  most  of  the  neighbouring  clergy.  It  was  pieced 
together  in  an  entirely  different  manner  to  the  original  in 
order  to  fit  the  new  chancel  arch,  and  has,  therefore,  lost  much 
of  its  value.  Its  chief  glory,  however,  is  in  a wonderful 
series  of  animals  carved  on  the  lower  side  of  the  beam,  repre- 
senting the  devastation  of  the  country  by  a dragon  or  crocodile, 


Cothelstone  Manor  House . 


47 


its  chase  and  final  overthrow  by  a man  armed  with  a bow  and 
arrows.  There  is  a most  spirited  piece  of  carving  where  the 
beast  swallows  a man  whole.  The  part  representing  the  death 
of  the  dragon  was  stolen  from  the  church,  but  was  rescued  by 
the  rector  from  a curiosity  shop  in  Taunton,  and  was  replaced. 
The  carving  referred  to  a legend  of  a dragon  having  devas- 
tated the  valley  between  Norton  and  Williton,  finally  meeting 
its  death  at  Norton.  The  date  of  the  screen  is  about  1500, 
and  has  on  it  the  name  of  Raphe  Harris,  who  was  church- 
warden at  the  time,  and  was  buried  at  the  west  end  of  the 
church  1509  a.b.” 

Cte  ©ID  Eoman  encampment. 

The  company  next  adjourned  to  some  fields  at  the  rear  of 
the  church  which  were  formerly  the  site  of  an  old  Roman 
encampment.  Mr.  Bidgood  made  a few  remarks  relative  to 
this,  which  he  has  since  embodied  in  a paper  ( see  Part  II). 


Cotfcelstone  8@anor  ijjotm. 

This  was  the  next  stopping  place,  and  the  Rev.  W. 
Esdaile  gave  a brief  account  of  the  Stawell  family,  who 
were  the  original  owners  of  the  manor.  Sir  John  Stawell  was 
the  most  distinguished  member  of  the  family,  and  he  lived  in 
the  time  of  Charles  I,  and  raised  three  troops  of  cavalry  and 
one  of  infantry  in  support  of  the  king’s  forces.  He  had  a 
skirmish  with  Blake’s  forces  at  Bishop’s  Lydeard,  but  was 
defeated,  and  returned  to  Cothelstone,  and  then  the  mansion 
was  destroyed — at  any  rate  the  greater  part  of  it — by  Blake. 
The  house  was  restored  in  1855-6  by  the  speaker’s  grandfather, 
and  it  was  generally  admitted  to  have  been  carefully  restored 
in  accordance  with  the  original.  Mr.  Esdaile  then  read  a long 
account  of  Sir  J ohn  Sta well’s  funeral,  and  mentioned  that  he 
had  no  less  than  fourteen  sons  and  seven  daughters. 


48 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


Mr.  Buckle  followed  with  a description  of  the  manor  house, 
which,  he  said,  was  a most  remarkable  building.  The  general 
idea  of  the  building  was  Tudor,  as  shown  by  its  base  course, 
and  string  course,  and  wide  mullioned  windows,  hut,  associated 
with  these  features,  were  some  of  Renaissance  character.  The 
mullions  were  treated  as  balusters,  not  only  on  the  outside  hut 
on  the  inside,  each  of  which  died  against  a square  post  into 
which  the  glass  was  fitted.  The  buttresses  were  most  extra- 
ordinary. The  small  bases  they  stood  upon  were  just  like  the 
pedestals  of  classical  columns.  As  they  rose  they  were 
diminished  like  classical  columns,  and  on  the  top  of  the  string 
course  they  were  finished  with  pinnacles  formed  of  ungainly 
pieces  of  carving.  Then  there  was  a very  quaint  gate-house, 
with  distinctly  classical  arches,  and  some  niches  of  very 
classical  type  with  scallop  shell  at  head.  Inside  the  gate-house 
they  found  a couple  of  fine  openings  of  the  purest  perpen- 
dicular, and  if  they  looked  at  the  tablet  bearing  the  coat-of- 
arms  over  the  doorway,  they  would  see  that  the  treatment  of 
the  Heraldry  was  of  Jacobean  character,  but  was  enclosed  in 
a very  fiat  four-centred  arch  of  quite  a Tudor  kind.  It  was  a 
very  remarkable  building,  forming  a sort  of  link  between  the 
latest  Tudor  work  and  the  Renaissance,  but  whether  the  whole 
of  the  buildings  were  of  that  same  date  he  could  not  say.  On 
one  side  there  was  a chimney  of  a very  gothic  character,  and 
it  seemed  to  him  as  though  the  building  must  once  have  been 
a thorough  Tudor  building. 

Col.  Bramble  pointed  out  that  on  one  of  the  pinnacles  of 
the  house  was  a cannon  ball,  and  when  the  Society  were  there 
last  it  was  on  the  table. 

Cot&elstone  Cfrurcfc. 

A visit  was  afterwards  paid  to  the  church  at  the  rear  of  the 
manor  house,  the  principal  interest  in  which  Mr.  Buckle  ex- 
plained consisted  in  the  monuments  of  the  Stawell  family.  Sir 


COTHELSTONE  MANOR  HOUSE 


Cothelstone  Church . 


49 


John  was  buried  on  one  side  of  the  chancel  and  another 
member  of  the  family  on  the  other,  and  there  were  two  tombs 
each  with  two  figures  on  them  in  the  side  chapel.  Really  the 
whole  of  the  church  was  an  Early  English  one,  although  it 
had  perpendicular  windows  inserted.  The  whole  of  the  walls 
of  the  nave  and  chancel,  and  the  walls  of  the  chapel  were  E.  E., 
and  there  was  a very  plain  E.  E.  arch  leading  into  the  tower. 
It  was  an  exceedingly  simple  church,  the  arch  and  the  chancel 
arch  being  about  as  plain  as  they  could  be.  The  tower  had 
one  curious  feature  about  it  on  the  outside,  and  that  was  that 
it  had  been  raised  in  modern  times  in  rather  curious  fashion. 
Over  by  the  old  belfry  the  string  course  at  the  bottom  of  the 
parapet  remains  with  its  gargoyles,  but  the  parapet  had  been 
taken  off.  Mr.  Buckle  also  alluded  to  the  carved  bench  ends, 
on  one  or  two  of  which,  and  on  the  pulpit,  the  Stawell  arms 
appeared. 

Col.  Bramble  afterwards  described,  in  detail,  the  figures 
on  the  tombs  in  the  chapel. 

The  Rev.  E.  H.  Bates  sends  the  following  additional  notes 
on  Cothelstone  : 

“In  the  upper  lights  of  the  windows  on  the  south  side  of  the 
church  are  some  good  figures  of  English  saints  : — 1,  S.  Thomas 
of  Hereford  (Cantelupe) ; 2,  S.  Ealdhelm  of  Sherborne  ; 3,  S. 
Cuthbert  of  Durham ; 4,  S.  Dunstan  of  Glastonbury  (with 
the  tongs);  5,  S.  Thomas  of  Canterbury;  6,  S.  Richard  of 
Chichester  (de  la  Wych).” 

The  Rev.  W.  Greswell  has  kindly  sent  the  following 
notes  on  Cothelston  : 

I derive  Cothelston  from  Cotele  ton , the  ton  or  toAvn  of 
Cotele , a name  well  known  in  Somerset  in  early  records,  and  in 
Cornwall.  It  has  nothing  to  do  with  a “ stone.”  Cotele  is 
Welsh  or  Keltic,  not  Saxon  or  Norman.  There  is  Cotele- asch 
on  Mendip. 

Cothelston,  a capella  dependens , i.e.,  chapel  dependent  on 
Kingston.  Together  with  Kingston,  it  was  probably  an  early 


Vol.  XU  V (Third  Series , Vol.  I V ),  Part  I. 


G 


50 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting . 


endowment  to  the  Priory  and  Convent  of  Taunton.  It  was 
William  Giffard,  Bishop  of  Winchester  (1127),  who  gave 
Kingston  to  Taunton  Priory.  Ecclesiam  de  Kingestona  cum 
capellis  ct  pertinentiis  suis . 

The  dividing  line  between  Cothelston  and  Kingston  is  a clearly 
marked  fence  running  down  from  the  ridge  of  Quantock.  Part 
of  Cothelston  is  on  Quantock.  Merridge  Hill  is,  I believe,  in 
Cothelston,  but  the  Spaxton  parishioners  have  common  rights 
on  Merridge  Hill.  Merridge  is  an  outlying  member  of  Spaxton. 

In  Collinson  (1790)  Tirhill  House  appears  as  possession  of 
Thomas  Slocomb.  “ Tirhill,  with  a park  ascending  almost  to 
the  top  of  Quantock  Hill.”  In  Greenwood’s  Somersetshire 
Delineated,  1821  : “ Cothelston  House,  which  till  lately  has 
been  designated  Tirhill  House,  is  now  the  residence  of  Edward 
Jeffries  Esdaile.” 

In  Queen  Elizabeth’s  time  there  is  this  notice  : “ Sir  John 
Stawell,  knt.,  hath  one  grounde  inclosed  for  deere  at  Cothelston 
of  one  myle  compas  and  keapeth  twoo  mares  according  to  the 
statute.”  ( See  Green’s  Somerset  and  the  Armada,  p.  48.) 

St.  Agnes  Well,  with  an  ancient  stone  canopy,  near  the 
road.  In  the  adjoining  field  “ a nunnery  ” is  said  to  have 
existed,  and  the  site  is  pointed  out  by  old  men.  I can  find 
nothing  else  to  corroborate  the  idea  of  a “ nunnery,”  but  the 
Prior  and  Convent  of  Taunton  may  have  had  a small  lodging 
or  cell  here. 

The  walnut  tree  has  been  mentioned  before  in  Proceedings  of 
Som.  Arch.  Society.  It  was  blown  down  in  1896.  In  Jeboult’s 
History  of  West  Somerset,  it  is  said  : “ On  this  manor  a strange 
old  custom  prevails.  Certain  tenements  are  held  by  payment 
of  so  many  bushels  of  rye.  The  tenants  are  called  Rye  Renters .” 

In  a note  on  Durandus  I see  the  following  remark  about  the 
“ glory  ” or  “ nimbus  ” round  the  head  of  a saint  on  one  of  the 
church  windows  : — “ The  nearest  contemporary  effigy  of  a 
saint  which  we  have  observed  in  stained  glass  is  that  of  S. 
Thomas  of  Hereford,  in  the  church  of  Cothelston,  Somerset- 


Cothelstone  Church . 


51 


shire.  Here  the  4 glory  ’ is,  as  usual,  of  a circular  shape.” 

Sometimes  the  nimbus  was  four-square,  representing  the  four 
cardinal  virtues.  Why  S.  Thomas  of  Hereford  should  appear 
here  I do  not  know. 

Manor  House.  This  is  very  interesting,  as  the  home  of  the 
Sta wells.  A Sir  J ohn  Stawell  figures  in  the  Elizabethan  days 
as  one  of  the  most  active  men  in  the  county  in  opposing  the 
“Armada,”  and  a Sir  John  Stawell  also  figures  afterwards  as 
a staunch  Royalist.  He  suffered  much  at  the  hands  of  the 
Parliamentarians.  His  fine  woods  were  cut  down  and  sold. 

The  Stawells  ( see  Collins’s  Peerage , vol.  viii)  were  said  to 
have  been  of  Norman  extraction.  They  first  took  their  name 
from  Stawel,  in  the  parish  of  Murlinch  in  the  county  of 
Somerset.  They  lived  at  CothelstOn  in  the  13th  century. 

The  “ line  ” ended  in  Mary,  only  daughter  of  Edward,  4th 
Lord  Stawel,  who  married,  September  3,  1750,  the  Right  Hon. 
Henry  Bilson  Legge,  fourth  son  of  William,  first  Earl  of 
Dartmouth. 

I find  in  an  old  parish  rate  book  that  the  Stawells  are  rated 
for  Cothelston  Farm  in  1789,  apparently  the  last  time.  Curi- 
ously enough,  a John  Gibbs  is  rated  for  Cothelston  Farm  in 
1781  and  1785. 

After  this  the  property  is  rated  to  Edward  J effreys,  and  so 
to  the  Esdailes. 

In  1786,  we  gather  from  Savage’s  History  of  Taunton , 
p.  273,  that  “John  Hammet,  James  Esdaile  Hammet  and 
Edward  Jeffries  Esdaile,  Esquires,  had  a grant  of  the  office  of 
bailiff  of  the  bailiwick  of  Taunton  and  Taunton  Deane,  and  of 
sealers  of  weights  and  measures  within  the  castle,  borough,  and 
lordship  of  Taunton.” 

John  Hammet  and  James  Esdaile  Hammet  are  described  as 
sons  of  Benjamin  Hammet,  alderman  of  the  City  of  London  ; 
Edward  Jeffries  Esdaile,  son  of  William  Esdaile,  of  the  said 
City  of  London,  banker. 

(See  also  Diet.  Nat.  Biography , under  Esdaile.) 


52 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

l5isf)op’s  HgDearD  Cputcft. 

A move  was  next  made  to  Bishop’s  Lydeard  church,  which 
proved  to  he  of  unusual  interest.  Mr.  Buckle  was  again 
called  upon  to  point  out  its  leading  features.  The  church,  he 
said,  contained  many  features  of  great  interest.  The  inside 
was  noted  for  the  great  quantity  and  variety  of  the  carvings 
to  he  found  there,  but,  perhaps,  the  most  interesting  thing 
about  the  whole  church  was  the  tower.  It  must  be  regarded 
as  quite  one  of  the  most  successful  in  the  whole  of  the  county. 
It  was  not  only  exceedingly  successful  as  it  stood,  but  it  was 
rather  remarkable  in  this  county  because  it  was  a tower  -which 
had  never  been  altered  since  it  was  first  designed.  In  by  far 
the  majority  of  our  towers  of  the  first  class  a very  much 
richer,  though  perhaps  heavier  parapet  and  set  of  pinnacles 
had  been  added,  but  this  church  retained  the  original  parapet 
and  pinnacles.  The  original  design  remained  perfect  from  the 
base  to  the  topmost  pinnacle.  It  was  very  nearly  identical 
with  St.  James’s,  Taunton,  but  there  were  some  points  of 
difference.  This  tower,  for  instance,  was  rather  straight er — 
the  buttresses  were  not  so  much  inclined,  and  the  working  out 
of  the  detail  was  distinctly  superior  to  that  at  St.  James’s. 
The  author  of  this  tower  knew  exactly  from  the  time  he 
started  what  he  was  going  to  do.  In  St.  James’s  tower  the 
designer  got  into  difficulties  at  the  belfry  storey— he  had  not 
put  the  base  of  two  buttresses  quite  in  the  right  place,  but  he 
got  over  his  error  in  a most  ingenious  way  and  built  a 
beautiful  tower.  This  was  a case  where  at  each  corner  of  the 
tower  there  was  a great  group  of  buttresses,  but  what  made  the 
principal  show  were  the  two  buttresses  at  right  angles  at  each 
corner.  They  were  carried  up  to  the  belfry  storey,  and  oppo- 
site the  belfry  windows  they  finished  in  pinnacles  which  were 
set  diagonally  to  the  buttresses  on  which  they  stood,  and  these 
pinnacles  were  connected  with  the  belfry  wall  by  a thin  wall 
of  stone  to  prevent  daylight  appearing  between  the  tower  and 


BISHOP'S  LYDEARD  TOWER,  FROM  SOUTH-EAST 


Bishop's  Lydeard  Church. 


53 


pinnacle,  but  at  the  top  they  were  nearly  detached.  That  pair 
of  buttresses  did  not  lean  against  the  tower,  but  against  a 
buttress  of  four  faces,  which  at  the  belfry  storey  changed  into 
a plain  square  buttress  set  diagonally  to  the  tower.  This 
diagonal  buttress  was  carried  up  through  the  tower  and 
became  the  base  of  the  pinnacle.  That  complicated,  but  per- 
fectly fitting  arrangement  of  buttresses,  proved  that  the 
designer  worked  out  every  detail  of  the  tower  before  he  com- 
menced building.  Cheddar  church  had  another  absolutely 
perfect  tower,  but  in  by  far  the  majority  of  instances  the 
architect  got  into  difficulties  before  they  were  finished.  This 
tower  was  beautifully  designed  from  base  to  top. 

A brief  discussion  followed  between  Mr.  Buckle  and  Mr. 
C.  H.  Fox,  of  Wellington,  as  to  where  the  money  came  from 
for  the  building  of  these  churches,  after  which  the  Vicar,  the 
Rev.  W.  F.  Eustace,  inquired  what  date  Mr.  Buckle 
assigned  to  the  tower,  and  he  replied  that  it  would  not  be  later 
than  about  1470. 

Mr.  Buckle  then  pointed  out  one  or  two  features  of  in- 
terest to  be  found  in  the  churchyard.  At  the  lower  end  of  the 
churchyard,  he  said,  stood  a churchyard  cross  with  a good 
deal  of  carving  about  it,  but  the  actual  cross  was  modern.  On 
the  lower  half  of  the  shaft  and  the  steps,  and  on  the  base  of 
the  shaft,  were  the  figures  of  the  twelve  Apostles  and  other 
carved  figures,  which  it  was  difficult  to  make  out  the  meaning 
of.  A little  further  to  the  right  were  fragments  of  another 
cross,  the  market  cross,  which  about  forty  years  ago  was 
brought  in  from  the  road.  The  most  interesting  feature  of  the 
latter  was  the  head  of  the  cross,  which  had  been  replaced. 
Only  the  front  was  visible,  and  there  were  to  be  found,  as 
usual,  figures  of  the  Virgin  and  Child,  and  other  figures  so 
dilapidated  that  nothing  could  be  made  of  them. 

The  party  then  moved  into  the  church,  where  Mr.  Buckle 
was  once  more  called  upon.  He  explained  that  in  the  inside 
of  that  church  they  had  work  of  two  different  dates  of  the  Per- 


54 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


pendicular  period.  The  two  arcades  on  the  two  sides  of  the 
nave  were  entirely  different.  One  was  a very  low  one,  and  the 
other  was  rather  lofty.  The  low  arcade  represented  the  earlier 
stage  of  the  building,  when  the  aisles  were  narrower  than  they 
were  at  present,  and  the  whole  height  of  the  church  was  con- 
siderably less.  The  chancel  was  a curious  shape,  the  eastern 
part  being  a good  deal  narrower  than  the  western.  The  chan- 
cel arch  had  been  enlarged,  and  at  the  same  time  one  bay  of  the 
chancel  had  been  widened  in  a very  ingenious  way.  The  prob- 
ability was  that  the  old  church  had  a north  aisle,  and  the  people 
Avho  built  the  loftier  southern  arcade  intended,  in  course  of 
time,  to  have  gone  on  and  put  a similar  arcade  on  the  other 
side.  The  aisle  on  the  south  side  appeared  to  be  contem- 
poraneous with  the  tower.  The  north  aisle  was  entirely  new. 
The  original  aisle  was  narrower  and  lower,  and  did  not  extend 
further  east  than  the  chancel  arch,  and  that  explained  how  it 
was  the  screen  extended  over  one  aisle  and  the  nave,  and  not 
over  the  other.  This  screen  was  another  excellent  example, 
similar  on  the  whole  to  that  at  Norton,  but  with  a good  deal 
of  difference  in  the  detail  of  decoration.  The  paint  was  entirely 
modern,  but  the  various  mouldings  were  original,  and  there 
was  nothing  so  characteristic  as  that  at  Norton.  One  of  them 
contained  the  whole  creed,  and  the  two  mouldings  below  that 
were  very  delicate.  There  was  also  a large  collection  of  bench 
ends  of  rather  an  unusual  character.  The  quaintest  were  near 
the  west  end.  There  was  one  picture  of  coursing,  and  another 
of  a deer.  Then  they  had  the  Pelican  in  Piety,  which  they 
knew  was  the  badge  of  Richard  Fox  (Bishop  of  Bath  and 
Wells,  1492-1494),  which  seemed  to  indicate  the  probability  of 
their  being  done  in  his  time.  Then  they  had  a coat  of  arms, 
with  the  fleur-de-lys  or,  and  a curious  picture  of  a windmill, 
with  a packhorse  below,  and  the  miller  himself,  and  next  to 
that  a ship.  A good  deal  of  question  arises  about  them. 
Some  asserted  that  the  windmill  marked  the  miller’s  pew, 
and  that  the  ship  was  a captain’s,  and  that  they  paid  for  them  ; 


Bishop's  By  dear  d Church.  55 

but  a more  likely  thing,  to  his  mind,  was  that  the  carpenter 
got  tired  of  foliage,  and  took  to  depicting  the  everyday  life  of 
the  village.  There  was  a very  pretty  Jacobean  pulpit,  and 
other  things  of  great  interest  in  the  church. 

The  members  next  proceeded  to  the  “ Lethbridge  Arms  ” 
Hotel,  Bishop’s  Lydeard,  where  lunch  was  served.  In  the 
absence  of  the  President,  Mr.  E.  J.  Stanley,  M.P.  (who  had 
left  the  party  at  Cothelstone,  in  order  to  drive  home  to  Quan- 
tock  Lodge),  Mr.  Cely-Trevilian  presided,  and  after  luncheon 
the  following  votes  of  thanks  were  passed  : 

Col.  Bramble  proposed,  and  Mr.  C.  H.  Fox  seconded: 

“ That  the  best  thanks  of  this  Society  be  given  to  the 
President,  E.  J.  Stanley,  Esq.,  M.P.,  for  the  admirable  wray 
in  which  he  has  conducted  the  duties  of  the  office  upon  such 
an  important  epoch  in  the  existence  of  the  Society.” 

“ That  the  best  thanks  of  the  Society  be  given  to  the  Wor- 
shipful the  Mayor  of  Taunton  for  the  kindness  and  hospitality 
which  he  has  extended  to  the  Society  and  for  the  great 
trouble  which  he  has  taken  in  the  arrangements  generally  to 
which  to  so  great  an  extent  the  success  of  the  meeting  is  due.” 

“ Also  to  the  Local  Committee,  which,  under  the  Presidency 
of  his  Worship  the  Mayor,  has  so  admirably  arranged  the 
details  of  the  meeting  (coupled  with  the  names  of  the  Local 
Secretary,  Mr.  Samson,  F.R.I.B.A.,  Mr.  Barnicott,  Mr.  Tite, 
and  Mr.  Hammett).” 

“ To  the  Worshipful  the  Mayor  and  Town  Clerk  of  Exeter, 
to  the  Rev.  Canon  Edmonds,  B.D.,  and  to  Mr.  W.  H.  Hamilton 
Rogers,  F.S.A.,  to  whom  in  their  various  ways  the  success  of 
our  excursion  to  Exeter  is  to  be  attributed.” 

“ Also  to  those  who  have  so  kindly  extended  their  hospitality 
to  the  Society : Major  and  Mrs.  Barrett,  Major  and  Mrs. 
Chisholm  Batten,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batchelor,  not  forgetting 
the  Mayor  of  Taunton.” 

“ Also  to  the  Clergy  of  the  different  parishes  who  have  per- 
mitted us  to  visit  their  churches  and  have  in  many  cases  put 


56 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting . 


themselves  to  considerable  inconvenience  to  attend  personally 
and  assist  us  with  valuable  information  (coupled  with  the  name 
of  Prebendary  Askwith,  who  has  given  us  the  pleasure  of  his 
company  and  the  benefit  of  his  assistance  throughout  the 
meeting).” 

“To  the  owners  and  occupiers  of  houses  who  have  allowed 
us  to  visit  them  on  the  occasion.  (The  Hon.  H.  P.  Gore- 
Langton  and  Mr.  Hembrow,  Mr.  C.  E.  J.  Esdaile  and 
Mr.  C.  Hancock,  and  Mr.  Batchelor.  Also  to  Mr.  Wilfred 
Marshall  for  permitting  us  to  pass  through  his  private  roads).” 

“To  Mr.  Edmund  Buckle  for  his  able  explanations  of  the 
numerous  objects  of  architectural  interest  visited  by  the 
Society.” 

“ To  the  District  Superintendent  at  Exeter  (Mr.  Campfield) 
and  the  Station  Master  of  Taunton  (Mr.  Lailey)  for  the 
excellent  arrangements  made  for  the  convenience  of  the 
members.” 

Mr.  Trevilian,  who  presided,  supported  the  resolution, 
and  included  in  it  the  names  of  the  Joint  Hon.  Secs.:  Col. 
Bramble  and  Rev.  F.  W.  Weaver. 

LpBearti  %t.  llatoren  ce 

After  luncheon  the  journey  was  resumed  to  Lydeard  St. 
Lawrence,  where  the  visitors  were  received  at  the  church  by 
the  Rev.  F.  L.  Hughes,  vicar.  Mr.  Buckle  said  that  the 
tower  of  the  church  was  of  a different  character  generally, 
from  that  at  Bishop’s  Lydeard.  This  was  a very  plain,  simple 
tower,  but  it  had  an  uncommonly  good  outline,  and  was  ex- 
ceedingly effective  from  every  point  of  view.  Here  they  had 
the  same  general  principle  as  at  Bishop’s  Lydeard,  although 
without  any  of  the  elaboration,  the  buttresses  and  the  rest  of 
the  tower  being  very  plain.  The  west  window  was  a small 
one,  and  there  was  no  west  door.  The  windows  in  the  belfry 
were  of  sandstone,  as  was  most  of  the  other  detail  of  the 


Lydeard  St.  Lawrence. 


57 


church.  All  those  hills  around  them  produced  stone  which 
could  be  worked  up  effectively  as  they  saw.  The  Ham  Hill 
stone  used  in  the  church  was  almost  all  modem,  as  this  place 
was  some  distance  from  those  quarries.  The  bulk  of  the  church 
was  of  the  14th  century — the  nave,  the  chancel,  the  windows 
therein,  and  the  walls  being  all  of  that  period.  The  chancel 
had  never  been  altered  since  that  date,  it  was  practically  un- 
touched, and  had  the  small  east  window  which  was  used  at 
that  time.  The  chancel  arch  was  of  a simple  character,  its 
most  interesting  feature  was  that  where  it  sprang  out  from  the 
wall  it  had  no  shafts  to  support  it  all.  That  arrangement  was 
met  with  late  in  the  Perpendicular  period,  because  then  the 
great  screens  were  common,  and  it  was  felt  to  be  a waste  of 
good  work  to  put  elaborate  piers  under  the  chancel  arch,  where 
they  would  never  be  seen.  The  chancel  contained  a great  deal 
of  pretty  work.  There  was  a curious  sedilia  and  piscina,  but 
they  did  not  seem  to  harmonise  one  with  another.  They 
would  notice  what  a fine  nave  the  church  had.  The  aisle  was 
a later  addition,  probably  in  the  15th  century.  The  pillars 
which  separated  the  aisle  from  the  nave,  and  the  capitals  were 
of  the  same  period.  The  idea  of  having  the  capital  continuous 
all  the  way  round  the  pillar  was  rather  characteristic  of  Devon- 
shire. In  the  West  of  Somerset  this  treatment  was  often  to 
be  found.  The  first  capital  at  the  west  end  represented  a fox 
and  goose ; the  second  had  four  angels  carved  round  it ; the 
third  was  comparatively  common-place,  having  just  a piece  of 
foliage  round  it.  But  the  fourth  was  decidedly  curious,  having 
a piece  of  interlaced  pattern  work  all  round.  That  was  not  an 
arrangement  which  a workman  of  the  15th  century  would  be 
likely  to  think  of  at  all,  and  the  only  suggestion  he  could  make 
was  that  this  bit  of  design  was  copied  by  a country  workman 
from  an  ancient  bit  of  Saxon  carving,  which,  perhaps,  came 
out  of  an  older  church.  The  last  capital  was  for  the  most 
part  broken  away.  The  windows  of  the  nave,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  one,  were  probably  of  the  same  date  as  the  arcade. 


Vol.  XL IV  (Third  Series , Vol.  IV),  Part  I. 


H 


58  Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

The  three  windows  on  the  south  side  were  built  as  it  were  in 
perspective— large,  middle-sized,  small — and  the  effect  of  these 
three  windows,  when  looking  down  the  nave  from  the  chancel, 
was  to  make  the  nave  look  longer  than  it  really  was.  On  the 
other  hand,  standing  at  the  west  end  the  nave  looks  distinctly 
shorter,  because  the  eye  instinctively  assumes  a row  of 
windows  to  he  all  of  about  the  same  size.  It  might  be  that 
the  people  who  put  in  the  big  window  had  intended  to  bring 
the  chancel  in  effect  more  down  into  the  church.  There  were, 
unquestionably,  cases  where  buildings  had  been  deliberately 
designed  with  that  effect  in  view.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  it 
might  be  a mere  accident.  The  screen  was  interesting,  as 
there  was  no  vaulting  on  the  face  of  it  towards  the  nave.  The 
tradition  was  that  the  screen  was  never  finished,  and  its 
appearance  supported  the  belief.  It  was  very  late,  and  was 
perhaps  the  “ enterclose  ” building  in  1532  (See  Wells  Wills). 
The  bench  ends  were  pretty,  but  there  was  nothing  very 
characteristic  about  them.  The  pulpit  was  of  J acobean  work, 
and  it  looked  as  if  it  had  been  made  up  very  much.  There 
was  a curious  “ squint  ” looking  into  the  chancel,  with  an  iron 
bar  in  the  centre,  intended,  no  doubt,  as  a support  to  the  wall 
over  it. 


Com&e  jFIotep. 

The  last  place  visited  was  the  pretty  little  village  of  Combe 
Florey.  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  witty  Sydney  Smith, 
from  1829  until  his  death,  February  22nd,  1845,  was  rector  of 
this  parish.  Before  visiting  the  church,  the  party  were  kindly 
entertained  to  tea  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batchelor.  A move  was 
afterwards  made  to  the  church.  Mr.  Buckle  said  that  the 
south  wall  of  the  nave  dated  from  the  13th  century,  but 
the  only  features  of  that  date  still  remaining  were  the 
doorway  and  the  turret.  The  aisle  seemed  to  have  been 
taken  down  and  rebuilt  sometime  in  the  last  century,  but 


Combe  Florey. 


59 


with  Early  English  arches  inserted  over  the  windows.  There 
were  so  many  of  these  arches  as  to  indicate  that  there  were 
several  windows  in  the  Early  English  church  which  stood 
there,  but  except  for  certain  remnants  there  was  nothing  left 
of  an  earlier  period  than  the  Perpendicular  time.  The  arcade 
there  had  got  the  angel  capitals  as  at  Lydeard  St.  Lawrence, 
but  the  rest  of  the  Perpendicular  work  was  of  a very  simple 
character.  The  windows  there  had  the  ordinary  tracery  which 
was  found  in  most  of  the  Somerset  churches.  The  chancel 
was  entirely  modern,  but  in  one  of  the  windows  there  were 
two  little  fragments  of  15th  century  stained  glass.  The  stone 
used  in  the  church  was  a kind  of  local  sand  stone,  of  a dark 
red  colour,  which  could  be  seen  in  the  arcades.  The  mullions 
and  tracery  of  the  windows  were  all  of  that  red  sandstone,  and 
there  was  hardly  any  of  the  Ham  Hill  stone  imported  there. 
The  bench  ends  were  more  elaborate  than  any  they  had  seen 
during  these  excursions.  There  was  formerly  a screen  there, 
and  the  few  fragments  left  of  it  had  been  worked  up  into 
the  present  reading  desk  and  pulpit.  In  the  wall  of  the 
north  aisle  was  a small  stone  slab  with  the  following  in- 
scription, in  13th  century  character,  to  one  of  the  nuns  of 
Cannington,  whose  heart  was  there  immured  ; — Le  Qaer : 
Dame  : Maud  de  : Merriete  : nonayne  : de  : Canny ntuneP 
(See  Proceedings , vol.  xi,  pt.  ii,  11). 

There  seemed  to  have  been  a special  fancy  among  the 
monastic  orders  for  being  buried  in  two  different  places  in  the 
belief  that  they  got  the  benefit  of  the  prayers  in  both  places  of 
worship.  Thus  the  heart  was  buried  in  one  place  and  the 
body  in  another.  The  tower  of  the  church  was  a very  pretty 
one  of  red  sandstone.  The  building  altogether  stood  in  a 
very  pretty  situation. 

Lieut.-Col.  Bramble  made  a few  remarks  as  to  some 
recumbent  effigies,  which  were  not  of  a earlier  date  than  1270 
and  not  later  than  1285.  The  figures  were  in  complete  chain 


armour. 


60 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting . 


The  Gate  House  was  afterwards  inspected,  and  this  con- 
cluded the  excursion.  The  homeward  journey  was  then  made, 
Taunton  being  reached  about  7.30.  This  was  the  last  of  the 
excursions,  which  throughout  had  been  of  a most  successful 
and  enjoyable  character,  and  the  weather  each  day  was  all 
that  could  have  been  desired. 


Cfre  ILocal  sguseum. 


Ax  interesting  loan  exhibition  of  local  objects  was  formed 
in  the  Castle  Hall,  and  consisted  largely  of  paintings,  prints, 
drawings,  etc.,  of  old  Taunton,  portraits  of  Somerset  Worthies, 
old  election  addresses  and  squibs  ; play  bills  of  the  old 
Taunton  theatre  (including  some  of  the  great  Kean’s).  Among 
the  Taunton  election  addresses  was  that  of  Benjamin  Disraeli, 
who,  “ young  and  alone,  is  engaged  in  a not  inglorious 
struggle  with  the  most  powerful  person  in  Europe  who 
does  not  wear  a crown,”  this  being  Daniel  O’Connell,  who 
on  this  occasion  described  the  future  Prime  Minister  of 
England  as  the  heir-at-law  of  the  impenitent  thief  who  reviled 
the  Great  Founder  of  the  Christian  religion. 

Mr.  Barnicott.— F rame  of  ancient  stained  glass  from  the  east 
window  (removed  in  the  restoration  of  1843)  of  St.  Mary’s 
Church,  Taunton.  Two  water-colour  drawings  of  old  St. 
.lames’  Vicarage,  Taunton.  Sixty-three  engraved  portraits. 
Ten  prints  of  Taunton,  and  six  printed  sheets  of  election  ad- 
dresses, etc.  Parchment  document,  Union  Club,  Taunton, 
1755  ; Taunton  Assembly,  1749,  rules  and  book  of  accounts. 

Miss  Woodforde. — Miniature  portrait  of  Elizabeth  Broad- 
mead,  buried  at  Wilton,  1784,  aged  115.  She  walked  in  pro- 
cession before  the  Duke  of  Monmouth  on  his  entering  Taunton. 
Portrait  taken  25th  March,  1781,  by  P.  Foy.  Crayon  portrait 
of  Thomas  Woodforde,  of  Taunton,  apothecary  and  banker. 
Pencil  drawing  of  the  Market  House,  etc.,  Taunton,  by  Ed. 
Turle,  1829.  Bible  given  by  Bishop  Ken  to  Samuel  Wood- 
forde, of  Castle  Cary,  “the  gift  of  my  worthy  friend  Thomas 
Ken,  Jan.  3,  1669.” 

Mr.  C.  Tite. — Several  water-colour  sketches  of  places  in 
Taunton  since  destroyed  or  altered — “ White  Hart  Inn,” 


62 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


“Four  Alls  Inn  Yard,”  “Crown  and  Sceptre  Inn,”  “Castle 
Yard,”  “ Old  Grammar  School, ” houses  in  Bridge  Street  and 
St.  James’  Street.  Portrait  of  Dr.  Cottle,  formerly  vicar  of  St. 
Mary  Magdalene,  Taunton.  Engraved  portraits  of  Samuel 
Daniel  and  Miss  Graddon,  and  several  caricature  sketches. 
Sheet  of  local  architectural  subjects. 

Rev.  J.  Worthington. — Portraits  of  Dr.  Toulmin  (historian 
of  Taunton),  Rev.  Roger  Montgomery,  Rev.  W.  A.  Jones, 
and  Dr.  Malachi  Blake  ; and  some  old  views  of  the  corner  of 
Mary  Street. 

Mr.  J.  H.  Spencer. — Daguerreotype  of  St.  Mary’s  old  tower, 
1842.  Pen-and-ink  sketch  of  St.  James’  old  tower,  1866. 
Comparative  elevations  of  the  towers  of  Taunton  St.  Mary, 
Taunton  St.  James,  Bishop  Lydeard,  Kingston,  and  Staple 
Fitzpaine.  Drawing  of  Wilton  Church,  showing  the  old 
tower,  1844.  View  of  interior  of  St.  Mary  Magdalene  Church, 
1829,  and  some  other  local  views. 

Mr.  Hugh  Norris. — -Portrait  of  Henry  Norris,  of  Taunton, 
born  May,  1752,  died  1823.  Carved  ivory  knife-handle,  found 
on  the  site  of  Taunton  Priory,  representing  Justice,  Hope,  and 
Charity  ( see  vol.  ix,  Somerset  Proceedings). 

Dr.  Alford. — -Six  water-colour  sketches  of  Taunton — North 
Street;  Fore  Street;  Old  Tone  Bridge;  Alms  Houses,  St. 
James’  Street;  Leper  Hospital,  East  Reach;  and  view  of 
Taunton  from  the  Priory  fields. 

Rev . D.  P.  Alford. — The  old  College  School,  Taunton,  by 
Jeffries.  Painting  of  the  old  bridge. 

Mr.  Franklin.- — Five  views  of  old  Taunton,  by  “C.C.”  circa 
1790,  coloured  aquatints — Castle  Green,  showing  the  ruined 
eastern  gate  ; view  from  Priory  ; Hammet  Street ; Tone 
Bridge  before  the  central  arch  was  built;  Taunton  Castle  ; 
and  a view  of  the  Market  House,  by  E.  Turle. 

Mr.  T.  G.  Crump. — Four  water-colour  sketches — Whipping 
Post  and  Stocks,  West  Monkton ; Leper  Hospital,  East 
Reach  ; Rams-horn  Bridge  ; Trowel  and  Pipe  found  embedded 


The  Local  Museum. 


63 


in  the  walls  of  old  St.  Mary’s  tower  when  pulled  down,  1858. 

Mr.  Maynard. — Two  water-colour  sketches,  by  Haseler,  of 
the  north  front  of  the  Castle  Hall,  Taunton. 

Mr.  W,  J.  Trcnchard. — Portrait  of  Sir  John  Trenchard,  of 
Blox worth,  Dorset,  supported  the  Duke  of  Monmouth,  escaped 
to  Holland,  and  afterwards  returned  to  England  with  William 
of  Orange.  M.P.  for  Taunton,  1678  and  1681.  Portrait  of 
John  Trenchard,  M.P.  for  Taunton,  1722. 

Mrs.  Kinglake . — Large  oil  portrait  of  Sir  Benjamin  Ham- 
met,  M.P.  for  Taunton,  builder  of  Hammet  Street,  and 
“restorer”  of  the  Castle. 

Rev.  E.  L.  Penny , Z).Z>.,  R.N. — Portrait  of  Joanna  South- 
cott,  the  enthusiast  (presented  to  the  Museum). 

Mrs.  Rowland.— Four  views  of  Taunton,  of  the  same  series 
as  Mr.  Franklin’s,  above. 

Mr.  Bidgood. — Taunton  Theatre  Play-bills,  1800  to  1830. 
Election  addresses  and  “ squibs.”  Portraits  and  views. 

Mr.  H.  W.  Smith. — Plans  and  elevations  of  the  old  alms- 
houses in  St.  James’  Street,  recently  pulled  down. 

Other  views  of  old  Taunton,  and  portraits,  were  lent  by  Mr. 
Skinner,  Mr.  Crockett,  Mr.  Frier,  Mr.  Stansell,  Mr.  Mulford, 
and  Mr.  W.  J.  Hammet. 

Miss  Kate  May. — Portrait  of  Frederick  May,  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Society. 

Mr.  Duder. — Election  addresses — Benjamin  Disraeli,  1835  ; 
General  Peachey  and  Mr.  Seymour,  1825  ; Mr.  Baring,  1806. 

Mr.  Spranklin. — Plans,  elevations,  and  details  of  rood- 
screen,  pulpit,  and  bench  ends,  Trull  Church. 

Mr.  Sheppard , Steward  of  the  Manor  of  Taunton  Deane. — 
Court  Roll,  Cardinal  Beaufort,  17  Henry  YI,  and  another  of 
Bishop  Montague,  16  James  I,  1618;  book  of  accounts  and 
presentments,  1582  ; and  various  MS.  and  printed  documents 
relating  to  Taunton  fairs,  Court  Leet,  inventories  of  estates, 
etc.,  from  the  Exchequer,  Taunton  Castle. 

Mr.  Richard  Easton . — Locke’s  Survey  of  Somerset,  folio 


64 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting . 


MS.  Summonses  to  Parliament,  Henry  III  to  Edward  I VT. 
List  of  the  Non-jurors. 

Mr.  E.  E.  Baker. — A large  and  most  interesting  collection 
of  tracts  relating  to  Somerset,  among  which  were  the  following 
concerning  Taunton: — Auction  Catalogue  of  English  Books, 
at  the  44  Lamb  Coffee  House  in  Taunton,”  1710;  44  Chard 
and  Taunton  Assize  Sermons,”  1623;  44  A narrative  of  the 
Expedition  to  Taunton,  the  Raising  of  the  Siege,”  1645  ; 
44  Proceedings  of  the  Army  under  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax, 
concerning  the  Club-men  and  Relief  of  Taunton,”  1645; 
44 Dying  Speeches,  Letters,  etc.,  of  those  Protestants  who 
suffered  under  the  cruel  sentence  of  Lord  Chief  Justice 
Jefferies,”  1689  ; 44  An  account  of  the  Proceedings  against  the 
Rebels,  tried  before  the  Lord  Chief  Justice  Jefferies,”  1685, 
printed  in  1716  ; 44  Trial  for  Bread  Riots  at  Taunton  Assizes,” 
1801;  44  Manual  for  the  Electors  of  Taunton,”  1826; 
44  The  Standert  and  Liddon  Controversy,  Taunton,”  1816  ; 
44  Shillibeer’s  Address  on  the  Land  Tax  Rate,  Taunton,  1823  ” ; 
44Bowditch  and  Norman  Enquiry,  Taunton”  1812  ; 44  Judgment 
in  the  case  of  the  King  against  Bowditch,  Taunton,”  1819. 

Mr.  Esdaile. — Bronze  torque,  found  at  Cothelstone.  Four 
pieces  of  ornamental  plaster  work  from  the  old  house  at 
Cothelstone ; and  water-colour  drawing  of  St.  Mary  Magda- 
lene’s Church,  Taunton. 

Col.  Helyar. — Elaborately  carved  old  door. 

Miss  Fremlin. — Fellow  door  to  the  above. 

( See  44  Notes,”  on  page  65). 

Mr.  Walter  Norman. -—Taunton  election  plate,  44  Sir  John 
Pole  1754.” 

Mrs.  Porter. — Model,  in  leather,  of  the  tower  of  St.  James’ 
Church,  Taunton,  by  Wm.  Weston,  about  1854. 

Mr.  E.  W.  Stevens. — Sections  and  specimens  of  a deep  well 
boring  at  Highbridge. 

Mr.  Whyte  Holdich. — Oil  sketches  of  ancient  British  Burial 
on  Exmoor  ; and  views  in  the  neighbourhood. 


OLD  DOOR 

SUPPOSED  TO  BE  FROM  TAUNTON  PRIORY. 
In  the  possession  of  Col.  Helyar. 


OLD  DOOR 

SUPPOSED  TO  BE  FROM  TAUNTON  PRIORY. 
In  the  possession  of  Miss  Fremlin. 


j[3otes  on  rtoo  olD  Catoeti  tDoots  erliitiiteti  in 
tbe  ILocal  Museum. 


BY  W.  BIDGOOD. 


THESE  two  handsomely  carved  doors  at  present  in  the 
possession  of  different  owners,  were,  no  doubt,  originally 
a pair  : and  at  a glance  anyone  would  perceive  that  they  must 
have  belonged  to  some  ecclesiastical  establishment,  while 
the  style  of  ornament  would  fix  their  date  as  the  early  half  of 
the  sixteenth  century.  The  carpentry  work  is  peculiar  and 
elaborate  in  construction,  the  bracing  in  the  lower  parts  being 
unusual.  Two  mullions  and  a middle  rail  divide  each  door 
into  six  panels,  of  which  the  upper  three  occupy  about  one 
third  of  the  whole  height.  The  three  panels  at  the  top  of 
each  door  contain  figures,  while  the  lower  panels  are  entirely 
filled  in  with  the  linen  pattern.  Placed  over  the  styles  and 
mullions  are  elaborately  carved  pilasters,  having  moulded 
bases,  and  terminations  resembling  the  tops  of  buttresses  with 
crocketted  finials.  These  pilasters  are  covered  with  carved 
ornament  different  in  each  one,  arranged  in  strings,  not  quite 
perpendicular,  but  slightly  twisted  in  opposite  directions.  The 
first  pilaster  has  strings  of  something  resembling  heraldic 
ermine  spots,  the  next  overlapping  leaves,  then  rows  of  folded 
ribbon  with  beads  between,  and  the  last  on  this  door  has  roses. 
In  the  second  door,  strings  of  beads,  lozenges,  folded  ribbon, 
and  fleurs-de-lis  : the  pilasters  in  the  lower  parts  are  mostly 
ornamented  with  beads.  The  braces  in  the  lower  parts  of  the 


Vol  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Parti. 


I 


66 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 


doors  are  covered  with  the  guilloche  pattern,  and  the  panels 
carved  with  various  forms  of  folded  linen. 

A careful  study  of  the  figures  will  show  to  what  particular 
religious  house  these  doors  originally  belonged,  and  also  ap- 
proximately the  date  of  their  construction.  The  features 
and  symbols  have  been  mostly  defaced,  but  sufficient  remains 
to  show  that  the  central  panel  of  each  door  contains  the  figure 
of  a saint  with  nimbus  and  label  behind  the  head,  and  the  two 
side  panels  angels  bearing  shields.  The  saint  depicted  on  the 
first  door  is  St.  Peter,  and  on  the  second  St.  Paul.  The  shields 
borne  by  the  angels  on  the  first  door  are  almost  obliterated, 
but  on  the  left-hand  one  the  outline  of  a cross  is  traceable, 
with  a rose  (between  two  other  objects  chopped  away)  in  chief, 
and  a bordure  engrailed.  On  the  right-hand  shield  the  arms 
of  the  See  of  Winchester  can  be  traced  ; but  the  print  does 
not  show  it  so  clear  as  on  the  door  itself.  With  the  second 
door  we  are  more  fortunate  as  regard  the  charges  on  the 
shields,  that  on  the  left  shows  a pelican  in  piety,  surmounted 
by  a mitre  with  strings  jewelled  and  tasselled.  The  shield  on 
the  left  bears  a crozier  between  the  initials  W Y,  interlaced 
with  a tasselled  cord. 

This  shows  us  that  the  doors  came  from  an  establishment 
dedicated  to  SS.  Peter  and  Paul  (Taunton  Priory  was  so 
dedicated) ; while  the  shields  will  prove  conclusively  that  it 
was  to  this  House  that  the  doors  originally  belonged.  As 
before  stated  the  arms  on  the  first  door  are  very  much  defaced. 
What  we  should  naturally  look  for  would  be  the  arms  of  the 
Priory,  but  these  so  far  as  we  are  aware  have  never  been 
recovered  ; what  remains  on  the  first  shield  may  be  thus  de- 
scribed— ( ) A cross  {or  On  a cross')  ( ) in  chief  a rose 
between  tioo  . . . ( ) within  a bordure  engrailed  ( ).*  The  arms 

* Bishop  Langton’s  arms  on  the  gateway  of  Taunton  Castle  are  On  a cross 
party  per  cross  Jive  roses,  but  no  engrailed  border.  Burke  gives  Yorke,  of 
Devonshire,  as  A Jesse  nebutte  between  three  crescents,  inter  the  horns  of  each  a 
fleur-de-lis,  all  within  a bordure  engrailed.  It  will  be  seen,  however,  that 
neither  of  these  coats  correspond  to  the  one  on  the  door. 


Notes  on  two  old  Carved,  Doors * 


67 


of  Winchester  on  the  second  shield  shows  the  connection  of 
Taunton  with  that  See,  the  bishops  having  been  successively 
Lords  of  the  manor  of  Taunton  Deane,  and  it  will  be  remem- 
bered that  Taunton  Priory  was  founded  by  a former  bishop. 

With  the  second  door  we  are  left  in  no  doubt  as  to  the 
bearings  on  the  shields.  The  pelican  shows  us  that  it  was 
Richard  Fox  who  was  Bishop  of  Winchester  and  Lord  of 
Taunton  Deane  at  the  time.  His  arms  occur  on  the  Grammar 
School  which  he  founded  within  the  precincts  of  his  Castle  of 
Taunton,  1522.  Fox  was  Bishop  of  Exeter  1486-7,  translated 
to  Bath  and  Wells  1491-2,  Durham  1494,  Winchester  1500, 
and  died  1528,  so  that  as  far  as  Bishop  Fox  is  concerned  it 
would  have  been  between  1500  and  1528  that  these  doors  were 
made  ; but  the  last  shield  enables  us  to  fix  the  date  with  greater 
certainty.  The  initials  W Y are  doubtless  intended  for  William 
Yorke,  who  was  nominated  Prior  on  the  19th  November,  1523, 
and  it  was,  no  doubt,  between  that  date  and  the  death  of  Bishop 
Fox,  1528,  that  the  doors  in  question  were  constructed.  The 
appearance  of  the  pastoral  staff,  interlaced  with  the  initials  is 
also  interesting,  as  it  was  only  about  twenty  years  before 
William  Yorke’s  time  that  the  privilege  of  using  the  pastoral 
staff,  among  other  coveted  honours,  had  been  conferred  upon 
the  House  in  the  Priorship  of  John  Prowse.  Thus,  then,  we 
have  on  the  first  door  St.  Peter  between  the  arms  of  Taunton 
Priory  (?)  and  the  See  of  Winchester ; and  on  the  second,  St. 
Paul  between  the  arms  of  Bishop  Fox,  and  the  monogram  of 
Prior  William  Yorke. 

Looking  at  the  elaborate  workmanship  lavished  on  these 
interesting  old  doors  one  is  tempted  to  believe  that  they  are 
not  the  work  of  an  ordinary  day  labourer,  but  the  handicraft 
of  one  of  the  inmates  of  the  House,  who  bestowed  the  un- 
limited time  at  his  disposal  in  the  execution  of  a labour  of  love. 


atiDitions  to  the  ^octetp’s  museum  anti  lifatatg 

During  the  Year  1898. 


THE  MUSEUM. 

Collotype  prints  of  Montacute  House  (two  views)  ; Lytes 
Cary,  Barrington,  Montacute  Priory,  and  Brimpton  d’Evercy 
(two  views). — From  Mr.  Phelips. 

Section  of  White  Thorn  Tree. 

Small  Earthen  Vase  containing  documents  found  in  the  roof 
of  the  old  Grammar  School  (now  the  Municipal  Offices), 
Taunton,  when  the  ceiling  was  removed  in  1897. — Deposited 
by  the  Town  Council. 

Cast  of  a Stone  in  the  porch  of  Holcombe  Church. — From 
the  Rev.  Ethelbert  Horne. 

Plans  of  the  Bell-chamber  and  Chime-chamber  of  the  Tower 
of  St.  Mary’s  Church,  Taunton. — From  Mr.  J.  T.  Irvine. 

Portrait  of  Joanna  Southcott,  engraved  by  Sharp,  framed. 
—From  the  Rev.  E.  L.  Penny,  D.D.,  R.N. 

Portrait  of  Mr.  E.  A.  Sanford,  a past  President  of  the 
Society,  framed. — From  Mr.  C.  Tite. 

Crossbill,  killed  at  Charlinch,  September,  1898. — From  the 
Rev.  W.  A.  Bell. 

Jubilee  Medal,  George  HI. —From  Mr.  H.  B.  Inman. 

Five  Old  Keys. — From  Mr.  Thomas  R.  Greg. 

Model  in  leather  of  the  Tower  of  St.  Mary’s  Church,  Taun- 
ton, made  by  Wm.  Weston,  1854. — From  Major  Winter. 

Old  Bench-end  from  Wotton  Courtney  (?) — From  Mr. 
Stansell. 

Panel  from  the  old  Grammar  School,  Taunton,  carved  with 
the  linen  pattern. — From  Mr.  W.  H.  Smith. 


Additions  to  the  Library . 


69 


Three  old  Bottles,  “ J.  Bicknell,  Bradford,”  “R.  Bricknel, 
1768.” — From  Mr.  S.  La  whence. 

Bronze  Celt. — (Purchased). 

Powder  Horn,  early  19th  Century. — From  Mr.  William 
Adams. 


THE  LIBRARY. 

List  of  Parish  Registers  and  other  Genealogical  Works , edited 
by  Fredk.  A.  Crisp.- — From  the  Editor. 

Leicester  Literary  and  Philosophical  Society , vol.  iv,  pts.  10, 
11,  12  ; vol.  y,  pts.  1,  2. 

The  Retreat  and  other  Poems  ; Catalogue  of  Books  in  the 
Tavistock  Library. — From  the  Rev.  D.  P.  Alford. 

On  Terrestrial  Saurians  from  the  Rhcetic  oj  Wedmore  Hill. — 
From  Professor  Seeley. 

Library  Catalogue  of  the  Surveyors'  Institute. — From  Mr. 
H.  S.  Thompson. 

Calendar  of  Patent  Rolls , Edw.  IV,  1461 — 1467  ; Richard 
II,  1381 — 1385. — From  the  Deputy  Keeper  of  the  Public 
Records,  in  exchange. 

Daily  Weather  Reports  for  1897 — 1898  ; Report  of  the 
British  Association , 1897. — From  Dr.  Prior. 

Particulars  of  Sale  of  the  Nunney  Castle , and  Langford 
Estates. — From  Mr.  Wainwright. 

Reports  on  the  Water  Rights  and  Supply  of  Chard  Borough. 
— From  Mr.  Gillingham. 

Three  Manuscripts  relating  to  the  Tithes  of  Bridgwater, 
1558  ; Accounts  of  the  Water  Bailiff  of  Bridgwater,  1550; 
Act  for  building  a new  Bridge  over  the  River  Parret  at  Bridg- 
water ; Plan  and  designs  of  N ew  Bridge  ; Articles  of  Agree- 
ment between  the  Coalbrookdale  Iron  Company,  and  the  Cor- 
poration of  Bridgwater,  and  sundry  letters  from  the  Company 
relating  thereto,  1794-5;  Turnpike  Acts  relating  to  Bridgwater, 
1758,  1779  ; Turnpike  Act,  Minehead  and  West  Somerset, 
1765  ; Act  for  allotting  certain  Commons,  called  Chilton 


70  Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting . 

Common,  &c.,  1798  ; Act  for  erecting  a Market  House,  &c., 
at  Bridgwater,  1779  ; a Bill  for  enlarging  the  Market  House, 
Paving,  Lighting,  &c.,  the  Streets  of  Bridgwater,  1820  ; an 
Act  for  Taxing  Papists,  1723  ; an  Act  for  the  better  regula- 
tion of  Attorneys  and  Solicitors,  1729  ; an  Act  for  Naturalis- 
ing Princess  Sophia;  several  Acts  on  Excise  Duties,  on  Coal, 
Cyder,  &c.,  1705  ; better  security  of  Her  Majesty’s  Person, 
1705;  Recruiting,  1705;  Mutiny  and  Desertion,  1705;  and 
others  of  a general  public  nature. — From  the  Rev.  J.  A. 
Welsh  Collins. 

Yorkshire  Philosophical  Society.  Report  for  1897. 

Somerset  Mediceval  Libraries.— -From  the  author,  Mr.  T. 
W.  Williams. 

Report  of  the  Bureau  of  Agriculture,  Montana. 

Notes  on  the  Romano- British  Settlement  of  Chigwell , Essex. — 
From  the  author  Mr.  J.  Chalkley-Gould. 

On  a late  Celtic  Bronze  Collar , from  Wraxall , Somerset. — 
From  Mr.  A.  C.  Pass. 

Norton-sub-Hamdonm* From  the  author  Mr.  C.  Trask. 

Wine  ant  on  Field  Club , Eighth  and  Ninth  Annual  Reports. — 
From  Mr.  Sweetman. 

Wyclif's  Latin  Works  : De  Logica. , vol.  iii. — From  Mr. 
Standerwick. 

Journal  of  the  Oxford  Brass  Rubbing  Society , Nos.  1,  2,  3. 
Records  of  the  Raiole  Family. — -From  the  author  Mr.  E.  J. 
Rawle. 

Archaologia,  vols.  1,  13,  14,  15,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23, 
28,  29,  30,  31,  32,  33,  34,  36  (ii),  37  (i),  37  (ii),  38,  39,  40,  41, 
42,  43,  44,  45. — From  Lt.-Col.  Bramble. 

Revista  do  Museu  Nacional  do  Rio  de  Janeiro , vol.  i. 

Ceylon  Handbook  and  Directory , 1894. — From  Mr. 'Knight. 
Royal  Societies  Club , Rules  and  Members. — From  the 
Secretary. 

British  Record  Society  : Bristol  Wills,  1572  to  1792  ; and 
Wills  in  the  Great  Orphan  Books,  1379  to  1674. 

Wedmore  Chronicle , vol.  ii,  no.  6. 


Additions  to  the  Library. 


71 


Famous  Houses  oj  Bath  and  their  Occupants. — From  the 
author,  Mr.  J.  F.  Meehan. 

Castle  Cary  Visitor , January  to  December,  1898,  12  nos. — 
From  Mr.  Macmillan. 

Instincts  and  Habits  of  the  Solitary  Wasps  ; Forestry  Con- 
ditions of  Northern  Wisconsin. — From  the  Wisconsin  Geo- 
logical and  Natural  History  Survey. 


Received  from  Societies  in  Correspondence  for  the  Exchange  of 

Publications. 

Royal  Archaeological  Institute — Archceological  Journal , nos. 
216,  217,  218,  219. 

British  Archaeological  Association — Journal , new  series,  vol. 
iii,  pts.  3,  4 ; vol.  iv,  pts.  1,  2,  3. 

British  Association — Report , 1897. 

Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Scotland — Proceedings , vol.  xxxi. 

Royal  Irish  Academy — Transactions , vol.  xxxi,  pts.  1 — 6 ; 
Proceedings , vol.  iv,  nos.  4,  5 ; vol.  v,  no.  1 ; List  of  Members. 

Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Ireland— Journal,  vol.  vii, 
pts.  3,  4 ; vol.  viii,  pts.  1,  2,  3,  4. 

Suffolk  Institute  of  Archaeology  and  Natural  History — Pro 
ceedings , vol.  ix,  pt.  3 ; vol.  x,  pt.  1. 

Associated  Societies — Reports  and  Papers , vol.  xxiii,  pt.  2 ; 
vol.  xxiv,  pt.  1. 

Sussex  Archaeological  Society — Collections , vol.  xli. 

Surrey  Archaeological  Society — Collections , vol.  xiv,  pt.  1. 

Lancashire  and  Cheshire  Historic  Society — vol.  xii. 

Wiltshire  Archaeological  and  Natural  History  Society — Maga- 
zine, nos.  88,  89,  90  ; Abstract  of  Wiltshire  Inquisitiones  Post 
Mortem , Charles  /,  pts.  5,  6 ; Catalogue  of  Drawings , Prints , 
and  Maps  in  the  Library  at  Devizes. 

London  and  Middlesex  Archaeological  Society — Transactions , 
vol.  i,  pt.  2. 

Plymouth  Institution  and  Devon  and  Cornwa1!  Natural  History 
Society — Report , vol.  xii,  pt.  4. 


72 


Fiftieth  Annual  Meetiny. 


Kent  Archaeological  Society — Archceologia  Cantiana , vol.  xxiii. 

Bristol  and  Gloucestershire  Archaeological  Society — Tran- 
sactions, vol.  xx,  pt.  2 ; Catalogue  of  Books , etc.,  in  the 
Library. 

Powys  Land  Club- — Montgomeryshire  Collections , vol.  xxx,  pts. 
1,2. 

Shropshire  Archaeological  and  Natural  History  Society — 
Transactions , vol.  x,  pts.  1,  2,  3,  4. 

Hertfordshire  Natural  History  Society — Transactions,  vol.  ix, 
pts.  5,  6,  7,  8,  9. 

Essex  Archaeological  Society — Transactions,  vol.  vi,  pt.  4 ; 
vol.  vii,  pts.  1,  2. 

Leicestershire  Architectural  and  Archaeological  Society — 
Transactions,  vol.  viii,  pt.  5. 

Royal  Institution  of  Cornwall — Journal,  vol.  xiii,  pts.  2,  3. 

Yorkshire  Archaeological  Society — Journal,  pts.  56,  57,  58  ; 
List  of  Members  ; Catalogue  of  JAbrary. 

Northamptonshire  Naturalists’  Society — Journal,  nos.  69,  70, 
71,  72. 

Geologists’  Association — Proceedings,  vol.  xv,  pts.  5,  6,  7,  8, 
9,  10  ; List  of  Members,  Feb.,  1898. 

Royal  Dublin  Society — Transactions,  vol.  v,  pt.  13;  vol.  vi, 
pts.  2 — 13  ; Proceedings , vol.  viii,  pt.  5. 

Bristol  Naturalists’  Society—  Proceedings,  vol.  viii,  pt.  2 ; List 
of  Members. 

Liverpool  Literary  and  Philosophical  Society — Proceedings , 
vol.  52. 

Manchester  Literary  and  Philosophical  Society— Proceedings. 
vol.  xlii,  pts.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5 ; List  of  Members. 

Essex  Field  Club — Essex  Naturulist,  vol.  x,  nos.  5—16. 

Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Newcastle-upon-Tyne — Archeeologia 
liana,  vol.  xix,  pt.  3 ; Warkworth  Parish  Registers , pt.  2. 

Cambridge  Antiquarian  Society — The  Priory  of  St.  Radegund, 
Cambridge  ; List  of  Members,  1898  ; Communications,  no. 
39  ; Index  to  Reports  and  Proceedings , 1840-97, 


Additions  to  the  Library . 


73 


Clifton  Antiquarian  Club — Proceedings,  vol.  iv,  pt.  1. 

Thoresby  Society — vol.  vii,  pt.  3 ; vol.  viii,  pt.  1 ; vol.  ix,  pt.  1. 

The  Reliquary  and  Illustrated  Archaeologist — vol.  iv,  nos.  1, 
2,  3,  4 ; vol.  v,  no.  1. 

Royal  University  of  Christiania — Four  publications. 

Smithsonian  Institution,  Washington,  U.S. — Report  of  the 
U.'S.  National  Museum , 1895  ; Proceedings  of  the  U.S. 
National  Museum , vol.  xix. 

Bureau  of  American  Ethnology — Sixteenth  Report , 1897. 

Essex  Institute,  Salem,  Mass. — Bulletin , vol.  xxvi,  nos.  4 — 42  ; 
vol.  xxvii,  nos.  1 — 12  ; vol.  xxviii,  nos.  1 — 6 ; vol.  xxix, 
nos.  1 — -6. 

New  England  Historic  Genealogical  Society,  Boston,  U.S. — 
Register , nos.  205,  206,  207,  208  ; Proceedings , 1898  ; Index 
to  Testators  in  Waters's  Genealogical  Gleanings  in  England. 

Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  Philadelphia,  U.S. — Proceed- 
ings, 1897,  pts.  2,  3 ; 1898,  pts.  1,  2. 

University  of  California— Report,  1896  ; Register , 1896-7  ; and 
various  pamphlets  on  Agriculture  and  Vine  Culture. 

Canadian  Institute — Transactions , no.  10,  vol.  v,  pt.  2 ; Supple- 
ment to  no.  9,  vol.  v,  pt.  1 ; Proceedings , vol.  i,  pts.  4,  5,  6. 

Novia  Scotian  Institute— vol.  ix,  pt.  3. 

Societe  Vaudoise  des  Sciences  Naturelles,  Lausanne — Bulletin , 
nos.  125,  126,  127,  128,  129. 

University  of  U psala — Bulletin  of  the_  Geological  Institution, 
vol.  iii,  pts.  1,  2. 

Societe  Archeologique  de  Bordeaux — Bulletin , tome  xxi,  fas. 
1,  2,  3,  4. 


Purchased : 

Harleian  Society — Registers  of  St.  George  s,  Hanover  Square , 
vol.  iv  ; Visitation  of  Cambridge. 

Oxford  Historical  Society — Hearne  s Collections , vol.  iv  ; Epis - 
tolae  Academica.e , Oxon , 2 vols. 


Vol.  XLIV  (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  I. 


K 


74  Fiftieth  Annual  Meeting. 

Palaeontographical  Society,  vol.  lii,  189S. 

Ray  Society,  vol.  for  1895 — Taxless  Batrachians  of  Europe , 
pts.  1,  2. 

Early  English  Text  Society,  nos.  110,  111. 

Pipe  Roll  Society,  vol.  xxiii. 

Somerset  and  Dorset  Notes  and  Queries,  pts.  40,  41,  42,  43,  44. 
Somerset  Record  Society — Somersetshire  Pleas , Civil  a.nd 
Criminal. 

Whitaker’s  Almanack , 1898. 

Glastonbury : An  Address  by  the  Bishop  of  Stepney. 

Illustrated  Guide  to  Stanton  Drew. 

The  Last  Abbot  of  Glastonbury. 

History  of  Northumberland , vol  iv. 

Monastic  Remains  of  the  Religious  Houses  of  Wit  ham,  Bruton 
and  Stavordale,  by  Sir  R.  C.  Hoare. 

The  Antiquary , vol.  23  to  33. 

Gentleman  s Magazine  Library , Shropshire  and  Somersetshire 
volume. 

Burke’s  Extinct  Peerages  and  Extinct  Baronetcies,  2 vols. 

The  Note  Book  of  Tristram  Risdon,  1608-28. 

Thring’s  Addresses. 

The  Ancient  Cornish  Drama,  by  Edwin  Norris,  2 vols. 

British  Birds,  with  Illustrations  by  Frohawk,  6 vols,  4to. 
Barrett’s  Highways,  Byways  and  Waterways. 

Somerset  Parish  Registers,  vols.  i,  2. 

English  Dialect  Dictionary,  pts.  1 to  6. 

Second  Letter  to  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury , being  an  ex- 
posure the  Rev.  W.  Goode’s  Book,  by  Rev.  C.  S.  Grueber. 
Poems  and  Letters  by  Miss  Bowdler,  Bath,  1809. 

Webster's  Elements  of  Mechanical  and  Chemical  Philosophy, 
Taunton,  18 — 

Butcher  s Excursion  from  Sidmouth  to  Chester,  1803. 

Pen  Pictures  of  Popular  English  Preachers , Rev.  W.  Jay, 
Bath. 

Crutwell's  Universal  Gazetteer,  4 vols.,  Bath,  1808. 


RUINED  TOWER,  — OLDITCH  COURT. 


THORNCOMBE,  DEVON. 


PROCEEDINGS 


OF  THE 

SOMERSETSHIRE  ARCHEOLOGICAL  AND 
NATURAL  HISTORY  SOCIETY 

DURING  THE  YEAR 

1898. 

TA%T  II. —‘PAPERS,  ETC. 

TBrook, 

OF  SOMERSET  AND  DEVON  ; BARONS  OF  COBHAM,  IN  KENT. 


BY  W.  H.  HAMILTON  ROGERS,  F.S.A. 


Olditch  Village  and  Chapel  of  St.  Melorus. 

AMID  delightful  rural  surroundings,  in  the  main  upper 
reach  of  the  valley  of  the  Axe,  the  wayfarer,  as  he 
leaves  the  station  of  the  railway  junction  to  Chard,  sets  his 
foot  on  classic  ground. 

To  the  left,  comparatively  close  by,  nestled  in  luxuriant 
foliage,  and  glimmering  richly  in  contrasting  colour  by  being 
fabricated  of  spoil  brought  from  giant  Hamdon,  is  the  ever- 
interesting  A.bbey  of  Ford  ; where,  in  the  early  dawn  of  the 
twelfth  century,  the  Cistercian  founded  a sanctuary,  and  es- 
tablished his  home,  under  the  fostering  care  of  the  earlier 
ancestors  of  the  illustrious  Courtenay,  many  of  whom  sleep  in 
unmarked  sepulchres  beneath  its  shadow,  for  the  consecrated 
structure  wherein  they  were  laid  at  rest  has  vanished,  and  its 
site  is  almost  unknown.  But  the  larger  portion  of  the  dwelling- 


Vol.  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


a 


2 


Papers , Sfc. 


place  of  the  monk  has  happily  survived,  and  in  the  creation 
of  its  beautiful  front  the  “ spirit  ” of  its  architect,  builder,  and 
last  abbot — Thomas  Chard,  who  surrendered  his  tasteful  home 
to  the  rapacious  Henry — still  “ walks  abroad.” 

Under  the  direction  of  a succeeding  secular  possessor,  the 
shade  of  another  renowned  name  haunts  its  precincts,  that  of 
the  famous  Inigo  J ones  ; but  his  alterations,  however  excellent 
in  themselves,  were  altogether  alien  to  the  Abbot’s  design,  in- 
harmonious and  unfortunate.  His  employer,  who  spent  large 
sums  on  the  work,  was  a person,  the  turn  of  whose  mind  was, 
presumably,  equally  incongruous  with  the  traditions  of  the 
Abbey.  This  was  Edmond  Prideaux,  learned  in  the  law,  and 
Attorney-General  to  the  Lord  Protector  Cromwell,  by  whom 
he  was  created  a baronet.  He,  fortunately  pre-deceased  his 
powerful  patron,  and  so  probably  escaped  being  sent  to  Tyburn 
at  the  re-entry  of  the  Stuart.  Not  so  fortunate  his  son,  name- 
sake, and  successor,  famed  for  his  extensive  learning,  for 
which  he  was  styled  “the  Walking  Encyclopaedia.”  He  had 
entertained  the  unfortunate  Monmouth  when  on  one  of  his 
western  progresses,  and  after  Sedgmoor,  although  Mr.  Prideaux 
remained  at  home,  and  took  no  part  in  the  insurrection,  he 
was  nevertheless,  on  very  slender  presumption,  deemed  to  be 
implicated,  seized,  and  sent  to  the  Tower.  And  it  is  related, 
he  was  handed  over  by  the  amiable  James  II — the  prisoner 
being  a rich  man — to  the  brutal  Jefferys  as  a “present  ” ; who, 
had  he  not  been  so  valuable  a prize,  would  doubtless  have 
hanged  him,  but  by  whom  he  was  ultimately  released,  on 
paying  that  atrocious  disgrace  to  the  ermine,  fifteen  thousand 
pounds ; and  so,  both  father  and  son  rest  in  peace  in  the 
Chapter  House  of  the  Abbey. 

One  further  curious  and  interesting  association  claims 
notice.  Here  resided  for  a few  years,  at  the  commencement 
of  the  present  century,  the  celebrated  jurist,  Jeremy  Bentham, 
the  quiet  solitude  of  the  place  being  doubtless  congenial  to 
the  contemplation  of  his  philosophic  investigations. 


The  Brook  Family. 


3 


Dismissing  from  our  thoughts  the  Abbey — a most  alluring 
subject,  whose  antecedents  have  occupied  the  attention  of  many 
investigators — a sharp  turn  to  the  right  discloses  the  path  that 
leads  to  the  locality  where  our  story  takes  its  beginning,  and 
which,  expanding  in  its  development  as  we  pursue  it,  becomes 
second  to  none  in  the  west-country  in  historic  interest.  A tree 
and  bush  shadowed  lane,  rising  in  easy  elevation  for  about  a 
mile’s  length,  brings  us  to  a gate  on  the  right,  where  a trackway 
through  a few  pleasant  meadows,  ascending  and  descending  in 
typical  Devonian  sequence,  takes  us  to  Olditch  village, — for 
village  it  is,  though  of  small  dimensions — that  includes  two 
old  farm-houses  (one  very  antient),  a trio  or  so  of  cottages, 
an  elementary  school-house,  together  with  the  usual  adjunct, 
by  rustic  euphemism  termed  “ a house  of  call,”  but  otherwise 
known  as  the  wayside  public-house. 

The  origin  of  this  hamlet — an  outpost  of  Olditch  Court, 
which  is  located  a short  distance  beyond— is  soon  apparent. 
The  long  building  that  faces  us  as  we  leave  our  meadow  path, 
although  now  in  large  measure  modernized  to  the  requirements 
of  a farm-house,  still  displays  along  its  front  considerable 
traces  of  venerable  antiquity,  that  take  us  back  five  centuries 
into  the  past.  The  eastern  portion,  a building  of  some  size 
and  still  fairly  intact,  assures  the  practised  eye  that  it  was 
originally  a Chapel  dedicated  to  the  service  of  the  Most  High. 
A glance  within  the  building  immediately  confirms  it.  There 
is  an  open  waggon-shaped  roof  of  close-set  oak  ribs,  but  little 
injured.  At  the  east  end,  the  pointed  arch,  splays,  and  siH  of 
a window,  now  walled  up,  appear,  the  mullions  and  tracery 
gone.  In  the  north  wall  is  a similar  but  smaller  window,  also 
walled  up,  the  arched  mouldings  and  jambs  visible  from  the 
outside.  Beneath  the  east  window,  on  each  side,  above  where 
stood  the  antient  altar,  are  two  brackets  or  perks,  whereon 
were  probably  placed  figures  of  the  patron  saints  of  the 
Chapel  and  the  mother  Church  of  the  parish.  High  up  in  the 
west  wall  is  a small  window,  from  which  the  inhabiters  of  the 


4 


Papers , Sfc. 


adjoining  house  could  observe  the  service.  There  is  no 
piscina  remaining,  and  the  original  side  doorway  was  situate 
probably  where  the  large  opening  appears,  the  structure  being 
now  used  as  a barn. 

Stretching  westward  from  the  Chapel,  joined  to  it,  and 
bearing  evidence  of  the  whole  having  been  one  continuous  and 
coeval  erection,  is  the  now  farm-house,  the  further  end  still 
shewing  much  evidence  of  the  architectural  features  of  the  orig- 
inal structure.  The  pointed  arch  of  the  doorway,  flanked  with 
narrow  lancet  windows,  others  above  and  behind,  together 
with  a regular  set  in  the  gable,  strongly  grilled  with  iron,  and 
built  into  walls  of  great  thickness,  take  us  back  to  the  con- 
cluding years  of  the  fourteenth  century  ; and  here,  it  may  be, 
resided  the  priest  that  ministered  in  the  adjoining  sanctuary. 

Of  the  identification  of  this  venerable  and  interesting 
structure,  it  is  believed  no  description  appears  in  any  county 
history  ; nor  is  there  that  we  are  aware  of,  any  local  account 
or  tradition  extant  respecting  it,  and  but  for  a passing  memo- 
randum in  the  Register  of  Edmund  Stafford,  Bishop  of  Exeter, 
relative  to  a breach  of  ecclesiastical  discipline  connected  with 
the  parish,  no  information  as  to  its  history  would  have  been 
available.  This  reference,  with  commentary,  Dr.  Oliver 
supplies. 

“ In  this  parish  (Thorncombe),  dependant  on  the  parochial  church,  I have 
met  with  two  Chapels.  One  I think  at  Holditch,  viz.  the  Chapel  of  St. 
Melorus  ; “ Capella  Sancti  Melori  infra  fines  et  limites  parochie  de  Thorncombe ,” 
as  Bishop  Stafford  describes  it  in  a deed  dated  Crediton,  29th  Jan.,  1411-12, 

( Reg .,  vol.  i,  p.  143)  the  parish  church  and  chapel  of  St.  Melorus  having  been 
placed  under  an  interdict,  the  Bishop  granted  relaxation  of  the  same.  The 
other  of  .St.  James,  at  Legh- Barton,  which  is  mentioned  in  a lease  of  Abbot 
William  White,  of  Ford,  7th  Dec.,  1490. 

If  we  may  credit  the  Legenda  Sanctorum , compiled  by  Bishop  Grandison, 
St.  Melorus  was  the  son  of  Melianus,  King  of  Cornwall,  by  his  wife  Aurilla, 
a lady  of  Devon  ; that  at  seven  years  of  age  he  lost  his  royal  father  ; that  his 
uncle,  Rivoldus,  by  his  father’s  side,  returning  from  abroad  cruelly  treated  the 
youth,  and  at  length  contrived  his  decapitation.”  [A  parish  in  Cornwall  is 
called  after  this  saint — St.  Mellion,  in  east  Cornwall,  mid-way  between  Saltash 
and  Callington.] 

In  point  of  age  this  structure  is  apparently  of  the  same  date 
as  Olditch  Court.  As  there  is  no  record  of  the  grant  of  a 
private  oratory  to  that  mansion,  as  was  usual  to  dwellings  of 


CHAPEL  OF  ST.  MELOKUS,  OLDITCH  VILLAGE 


PRESUMED  PRIEST'S  HOUSE,  CHAPEL  OF  ST.  MELORUS. 


The  Brook  Family. 


5 


such  importance,  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  Brook  family — 
the  parish  church  being  a considerable  distance  off — helped  to 
found,  or  support  it,  and  occasionally  worshipped  there,  using 
it  instead  of  a domestic  chapel. 

Leaving  Olditch  village,  our  path,  traversing  two  or  three 
fields  further  in  the  same  direction,  brings  us  to  Olditch  Court. 


©iDttcf)  Court. 

Olditch  Court  ! Here  our  little  history  practically  begins, 
and  halting  as  we  enter  its  leafy  precincts,  and  glancing  round, 
the  query  presents  itself,  where  are  the  evidences  of  its  former 
existence  : where  stood  the  mansion  of  the  knightly  Brooks, 
or  the  ruins  thereof,  so  few  and  indistinct  are  the  vestiges  that 
remain  to  arrest  the  eye. 

In  a most  retired  spot,  situate  on  a pleasant  plateau,  gar- 
nished with  fine  trees,  and  still  exhibiting  evidence  of  that 
indefinable  distinction  which  continues  to  linger  around  these 
old  places  of  gentle  origin  with  inextinguishable  charm  ; over- 
looking southerly,  a spur  of  the  Axe  valley  that  extends 
beneath,  and  which  gradually  shallowing,  is  lost  in  the  rising 
ground  stretching  upward  to  the  Dorsetshire  hills,  known  as 
Lambert’s  and  Conig’s  castles,  bounding  the  scene  on  the 
north,  is  the  site — for  little  beside  is  visible — of  Olditch  Court. 

What  time  and  change  has  spared  is*  soon  described.  Imme- 
diately at  the  entrance,  and  still  dignified  as  Olditch  Court, 
is  a small  and  modern  farm-house,  but  a scrutiny  of  its  front 
shews  that  in  it  was  incorporated  a portion  of  what  was  ap- 
parently the  gate-house  of  the  mansion.  This  is  indicated  by 
a wide,  depressed  arch,  now  filled  up  and  almost  hidden  by 
ivy,  a pointed  doorway  by  its  side,  strikingly  similar  in  form 
to  that  found  in  the  old  chapel-house  in  the  village,  and  a 
buttress,  the  intervening  windows  being  of  seventeenth  cen- 
tury work,  after  the  place  had  passed  out  of  the  possession  of 
the  Brooks.  Within,  a few  old  features  have  been  preserved, 


6 


Papers , $*c. 


a trio  of  pointed  arches  opposite  the  larger  one,  which  led  into 
a demolished  portion  of  the  original  fabric,  and  a couple  of 
plain  fireplaces  of  large  dimensions. 

Behind  this  building  is  the  site  of  the  Court.  All  that  now 
exists  of  its  structure  is  the  portion  of  a tower  of  considerable 
height,  clad  with  magnificent  ivy.  It  appears  to  have  been 
square  in  form,  with  a circular  angle  for  a stairway.  Leading 
from  it  is  a comparatively  large  space,  irregularly  and  tumul- 
tuously hillocked,  shewing  here  and  there,  where  bare  of  grassy 
covering,  foundations  of  massive  masonry.  This  comprises 
everything  elsewhere  to  be  seen,  and  in  the  absence  of  careful 
excavations,  it  would  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  get  an 
approximate  idea  of  the  ground-plan  of  the  vanished  edifice, 
but  it  may  be  surmised  the  ruined  tower  formed  one  of  its 
angles. 

The  date  of  its  erection  may  be  assigned  to  the  first  half  of 
the  fourteenth  century,  and  a license  to  crenellate  (otherwise 
castellate)  it,  was  granted  20  Rich.  II,  1396.  The  Brooks 
doubtless  continued  to  reside  in  it,  until  their  purchase  of 
Weycroft,  and  then  probably  alternately  at  both  places, 
Wey croft  apparently  getting  the  preference,  until  their  final 
migration  to  baronial  Cobham. 

Lysons  records  “that  in  1773  there  were  considerable  re- 
mains of  the  old  mansion  and  the  chapel,  some  traces  of  which 
are  still  to  be  seen.”  As  to  the  Chapel,  there  is  no  record 
that  we  know  of,  of  the  grant  of  an  oratory  to  Olditch.  The 
site  and  estate  were  purchased  in  1714,  by  William  Bragge, 
Esq.,  of  Sadborough,  from  Mr.  John  Bowditch,  to  whose  family 
they  had  been  conveyed  by  Lord  Mountjoy. 

Of  its  social  history,  a remarkable,  but  by  no  means  unusual 
incident  in  those  lawless  times — when  might,  actuated  by  fierce 
party  feeling,  constituted  right  of  reprisal  or  injury  among 
the  “ nobles  ” of  the  land — befel  Olditch.  Its  origin,  in  our 
modern  and  comparatively  tame  amenities,  would  be  classed 
as  political,  but  in  those  days  desperately  partizan,  and 


The  Brook  Family. 


7 


occurred  during  the  wars  of  the  Roses.  The  Brooks  were 
staunch  adherents  of  the  house  of  York,  and  this  Sir  Edward 
Brook  “was  consulted  by  Richard,  Duke  of  York,  as  ‘a  man 
of  great  witte  and  much  experience ; ’ ” and  was  with  the 
York  faction  at  their  first  victory  at  St.  Alban’s,  in  1455  ; 
the  depredator  of  their  home,  a strong  supporter  of  the  rival 
Lancaster,  in  whose  cause  he  ultimately  lost  his  head  at 
Newcastle,  in  1461,  after  the  battle  of  Towton.  He  was 
James  Butler,  Earl  of  Ormond  and  Wiltshire,  and  Lord 
Treasurer  of  England  to  Henry  VI  ; and  the  then  owner  of 
Olditch,  Edward  Brook,  who  fought  in  several  battles  under 
the  Yorkist  banner,  was  the  first  Lord  Cobham  of  that  name, 
son  of  Sir  Thomas  Brook,  who  married  Joan  Braybroke, 
Lady  of  Cobham. 

The  record  of  this  raid  is  preserved  among  the  Harleian 
MSS.  : the  date  is  not  given,  but  it  must  have  taken  place 
between  1449-61  ; and  the  document  gives  a graphic  des- 
cription of  the  proceedings.  It  is  superscribed  : 

Articles  of  the  great  wrongs,  injuries,  grev’nces,  and  trespasses,  that  Jamys, 
Erie  of  Wyltshire,  and  his  servantes,  hath  don  to  Edward  Broke,  Lord 
Cobham,  and  his  servants. 

First — When  the  said  lord  was  pesibelly  in  his  maner  of  Holdyche,  in 
Devonshire,  the  said  Erie  ymagenying  to  hurte  the  said  lord,  the  third  of 
Janier  last  passed,  at  Holdyche  foresayd,  wyth  many  other  of  his  servantes  to 
the  nombre  of  CC.,  and  mo’,  of  the  whiche  Rob’rt  Cappys,  esquier  was  on,  with 
force  and  armes  arayd  in  man’r  of  werre,  that  is  to  say,  jackys,  saletts,  bowys, 
arowys,  swerdis,  longbedeves,  gleves,  gonnys,  eolu’yns,  with  many  other 
ablements  of  werre,  bisegid,  the  said  Lord  Cobh’m  there  at  tyme  beying  in  his 
place,  and  hym  assauted  contynuelly  by  the  space  of  v owres,  as  hit  had  be  in 
lande  of  werre.  And  at  that  tyme  ther,  the  sayd  erle,  wyth  his  sayd  ser- 
vantes, brake  a smythis  house,  beyng  ten’nt  of  the  sayd  lord  Cobh’m,  and  there 
toke  oute  grete  sleggys  and  many  barrys  of  yryn,  and  pykeys  and  mattockys  to 
have  xnynye  the  sayd  lord  Cobh’m  is  place.  And  there,  at  that  tyme,  the 
dorys  of  the  said  lord  is  stablys  and  barnys  brake,  and  his  cornys  beyng  in  the 
sayd  barnys,  to  a grete  notabell  value,  wych  thaire  horses  yete,  wasted,  de- 
foulyed,  and  distroid.  And  dyv’s  goodis  of  the  sayd  lord  beyng  in  the  said 
stablys,  that  is  to  say  sadellys,  bridell,  peyterett,  croperys,  and  also  tronkys, 
clothesackys,  stuffed  with  conveniett  stuffe  to  his  estate,  for  he  was  purposyd 
to  remove  frothens  to  his  place  of  Wycrofte,  to  a grete  notabell  value,  toke 
and  bare  away  to  the  utt’myst  dishonur  and  shame  to  sayd  lord,  and  grete 
hurte  in  lusyng  of  hys  sayd  goodes. 

Also  the  sayd  erle,  lat  at  Dorchest’r,  by  hys  grete  labour,  excitati’n  and 
steryng  hath  caused  the  sayd  lord  Cobh’m,  and  Piers  hys  brother,  wyth  other 
of  the  sarvantes  of  the  sayd  lord,  to  be  endyted  of  felonye,  wyth  oute  cause  or 
dese’vyng  of  thym,  the  which  owneth  as  well  to  the  destrucc’on  of  the  said  lord 
and  hys  brother,  is  p’sones  and  his  sayd  servantes  as  to  the  corrup’con  of  thaire 
blood.” — From  Pulman’s  Book  of  the  Axe,  and  noticed  by  Mr.  Waller  in 
Archceologia  Cantiana. 


8 


Papers , Sfc. 


The  “Robert  Cappys  esquier,  who  was  one”  that  joined 
the  “ Erie  ” in  this  disgraceful  foray,  was  a neighbour  (?)  of 
Lord  Cobham’s,  and  lived  in  the  adjoining  estate  of  Beerhall, 
which  he  inherited  by  marriage  with  Elizabeth  daughter  of 
John  Jew,  and  widow  of  Sir  John  Hody.  “This  woman,” 
says  Pole,  “ disinherited  her  eldest  son  and  conveyed  her  land, 
part  unto  Sir  William  Hody — -Chief  Baron — and  part  unto 
her  issue  by  Cappis,  betwixt  whose  issue  theire  contynewed  a 
long  contencion.  But  it  is  nowe  in  ye  possession  of  a younger 
house  issued  from  Sir  William  Hody.” 

It  would  appear  from  the  foregoing  account  that  Lord 
Cobham  was  staying  at  Olditch  at  the  time  of  the  “ assaut,” 
engaged  in  packing  some  of  his  “ stuff'e  ” in  “ tronkis  ” and 
other  receptacles,  prior  to  their  removal  to  his  other  seat  at 
Wey croft,  about  two  miles  distant,  and  had  deposited  the 
same  in  the  stables  and  outhouses,  ready  for  transit.  Not- 
withstanding the  “200  and  mo’”  retainers  “Erie  Jamys” 
brought  with  him,  their  “ sleggys  ” and  weapons  of  “ werre,” 
and  the  “five  owres  ” attack  ; the  “besegid”  appear  to  have 
successfully  resisted  an  entrance  into  the  mansion,  and  the 
raiders  contented  themselves  with  pillaging  the  stables  and 
outhouses,  and  carrying  off  the  goods  packed  for  removal. 
Lord  Cobham  probably  left  Olditch  as  soon  as  things  were 
quiet,  for  Cobham  in  Kent  : passing  Dorchester  on  his  way, 
the  “ Erie  ” apparently  following  and  continuing  the  perse- 
cution, by  there  getting  Sir  Edward  and  his  brother  Peter, 
“ endyted  for  felonye.” 

A similar  outrage  to  this  was  made  by  Robert  Willoughby, 
afterward  Lord  Willoughby  de  Broke,  of  Beer-Ferrers,  on 
his  almost  neighbour  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  Tamar, 
Richard  Edgcumbe,  of  Cothele,  in  1470  ; and  a document  in 
the  possession  of  the  Earl  of  Mount-Edgcumbe  gives  a des- 
cription of  it  with  claim,  couched  in  almost  exactly  similar 
language.  The  bottom  of  the  quarrel  was  also,  their  adherence 
to  the  opposing  Roses,  although  afterward  they  both  held  high 


PORTION  OF  GATEWAY,  OLDITCH  COURT 


The  Brook  Family . 


9 


office  under  the  amalgamated  rule  of  Henry  VII.  The  well- 
known  incident  of  the  Courtenays  sallying  forth  at  night  from 
Tiverton  Castle  to  Upcott,  sacking  his  residence  first,  and 
afterwards  slaying  the  old  lawyer,  Radford,  because  he  was 
“of  counsel”  to  their  opponent  Bonville,  described  in  the 
Paston  letters,  happened  about  the  same  time. 

This  lawless  method  of  deciding  quarrels  was  never  legalized 
in  England,  but  the  shifting  governments  at  that  era,  whose 
adherents  were  alternately  guilty  of  this  guerilla  warfare,  were 
either  too  weak  or  careless  to  effectually  suppress  it ; if  they 
did  not  secretly  connive  at  it,  as  each  had  opportunity. 


Cfie  Qganot  of  DlOitcfj. 

“The  parish  of  Thorncomb,”  to  quote  the  quaint  language  of 
Pole,  “ is  the  uttermost  lymytt  of  Devonshire,  and  is  an  island 
compassed  about  w’th  Dorsetshire  and  Somersetshir  on  ye 
west ; and  took  his  name  of  ye  Saxon  names  Thorn  and  Cumb, 
wh’ch  is  a familiar  name  in  most  parts,  and  signifieth  a bot- 
tom e,  or  lowe  ground,  subject  unto  thornes.” 

The  principal  manor  of  the  parish  had  been  given  to,  and 
belonged  to-the  Abbey  of  Ford.  The  descent  of  the  manor  of 
Olditch  and  its  acquisition  by  Brook,  is  thus  described  by  the 
above  historian. 

“ It  was  first  belonging  to  the  family  of  Flemyng,  and  was  by  Richard 
Flemyng  given  in  marriage  unto  William  de  Sancer,  a Norman,  with  Jone, 
daughter  of  the  said  Richard  ; which  William  with  his  wife  and  children  re- 
volting from  King  John  unto  the  French  king,  the  said  manor  was  seized  into 
the  king’s  hands.  But  the  said  Richard  so  much  prevailed  with  the  king,  that 
he  restored  it  unto  him  again,  and  left  it  unto  William  Flemyng  his  son,  and  he 
unto  William  his  son,  which  gave  it  and  all  other  his  lands  to  Reginald  de 
Mohun,  which  Reginald  alienated  it  unto  Henry  de  Broc  (or  as  now  called 
Brooke)  in  which  family  it  continued  from  the  reign  of  King  Henry  III,  unto 
the  first  of  James,  that  Henry  Brooke,  Lord  Cobham,  being  attainted,  the  said 
king  gave  this  manor,  with  other  lands,  unto  Charles  Blount,  Lord  Mont  joy, 
created  by  the  aforesaid  king.  Earl  of  Devonshire,  and  he  conveyed  the  same 
unto  Montjoy,  his  base  supposed  sou,  who  now  enjoyeth  the  same.” 

“The  family  of  Brooke  long  continued  their  dwelling  in  this  place.” 

Similar  to  Pole,  Risdon  speaks  of  Thorncombe  being  “ sub- 
ject to  thorns  and  briers  (if  manurance  did  not  prevent  it), 


Vol.  XL  IV  (Third  Series , Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


b 


10 


Papers , 8fc. 


unto  which  it  is  naturally  prone,”  and  gives  the  text  of  the 
transfer  mentioned  by  Pole. 

Willielmus  le  Sancar  N ormanus,  tenuit  Manerium  cle  Holdich  tempore  Regis 
Joliannis  de  Richardo  le  Fleming  et  idem  Rich,  ei  dedit  in  Maritagio  cum  Johanna 
Filia  sua,  quae  in  separatione  Anglorum  el  Normanorum  remansit  ad  Jidem 
Regis  Franciae  una  cum  pueris,  quo  facto  Rex  sesivit. 

And  adds  “ that  this  manor  was  given  by  the  King  to  the  Lord 
Reginald  Mohun,  who  in  the  time  of  King  Henry  III,  gave 
the  same  to  one  of  the  ancestors  of  the  Lord  Cobham.”  But 
Pole’s  description  of  the  descent  is  probably  the  correct  one. 

This  Sir  Reginald  de  Mohun  is  supposed  to  have  acquired 
so  large  a portion  of  the  Fleming  property,  by  his  presumed — - 
but  not  absolutely  authenticated — marriage  with  Avice  or 
Hawis,  a daughter  of  William  Fleming,  as  his  first  wife.  He 
was  munificently  inclined  toward  the  Church,  was  the  Founder 
of  the  Cistercian  Abbey  of  Newenham,  and  a great  benefactor 
to  the  similar  foundation  at  Tor- Mohun,  where  he  died,  20th 
January,  1257.  Its  possession  by  the  Brooks  continued  for 
about  three  centuries  and  half. 

The  six  succeeding  Barons  of  Cobham,  following  Sir  Thomas 
Brook,  who  married  Joan  Braybroke,  heiress  to  the  barony, 
held  Olditch  until  the  attainder  of  its  last  unfortunate  possessor, 
Henry  Brook,  tenth  Lord  Cobham,  K.G.,  in  whom  the 
title  expired.  In  1604,  James  I gave  it  to  Charles  Mountjoy, 
Earl  of  Devon. 


€&e  8©anor  of  Cfflepcroft. 

The  early  descent  of  the  Manor  of  Wey croft,  or  Wy croft, 
antiently  Wigoft,  prior  to  its  acquisition  by  Sir  Thomas  Brook, 
is  somewhat  obscure  as  related  by  historians  in  collation  with 
the  Visitations  and  the  remaining  deeds  of  transfer,  but  a fairly 
complete  account  may  be  made  out.  It  is  situate  about  a mile 
east  of  Axminster,  on  the  road  leading  to  Chard. 

Its  first  recorded  possessors  appear  to  have  been  Adam  and 
Henry  de  Gelond  or  Galland,  and  named  of  the  place  “de 


The  Brook  Family. 


11 


Wigoft,”  who  held  it  temp.  Henry  II  (1154-89).  Henry  de 
Gelond  or  de  Wigoft,  gave  it  to  his  son  John,  last  of  that 
name,  “in  marriage,”  with  Joan,  daughter  of  Richard  de 
Chudderlegh  (of  Chudderlegh,  in  Bickleigh,  east  Devon), 
temp.  Edw.  II  (1307-27),  by  whom  he  had  issue  Joan  his 
daughter  and  heiress,  the  wife  of  J ohn  Gobodeslegh,  “ some- 
time written  de  Wicroft.”  They  had  issue  Thomazine,  who 
married  John  Christenstow,  and  had  issue  William  Christen- 
stow,  of  Wycroft,  who  died  without  issue,  and  Alice  his  sister 
and  heiress,  the  wife  of  John  Dennys,  of  Bradford,  in  North 
Devon,  whose  grandson  was  Thomas  Dennys,  subsequently  of 
Holcombe-Burnell.* 

“ It  appears,”  says  Pole, 

“that  William  Christenstow,  who  died  in  King  Richard  II ’s  time  (1377-99), 
had  made  some  grant  (of  Wycroft)  to  Sir  Thos.  Brooke,  Knt.,  which  being  im- 
perfect, Sir  Thomas  Brook  his  son,  had  a new  grant  from  Thomas  Dennys, 
grandchild  of  Alice,  sister  of  William  Christenstow,  and  in  recompense  granted 
unto  Dennys  his  manor  of  Holcombe- Burnell,  anno  9 Henry  VI,  1418.” 

This  account  must  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  following. 

“Original  deeds  relating  to  the  purchase  of  Weycroft  are  still  in  existence. 
By  one  of  them  dated  1395,  Robert  Deyghere,  of  Crukern,  and  Avicia  his  wife, 
daughter  and  heir  of  Adam  Wycroft,  convey  to  Sir  Thomas  “the  manor  of 
Wycroft  and  its  appurtenances  ” ; and  by  another,  dated  1397,  Robert  Digher 
and  Avicia  his  wife,  daughter  and  heir  of  Adam  Gobald,  of  Wycroft,  convey 
the  manor  to  Philip  Holman,  clerk,  and  John  Swaldale.  This  deed  is  attached 
to  a later  one,  dated  ‘ ‘ die  Jovis  proximi  post  festum  sancti  Luce  evangeliste ,” 
9 Henry  IV,  1407,  by  which  Holman  and  Swaldale  convey  the  said  manor  to 
Thomas  Brook,  the  younger.” — Pulman’s  Book  of  the  Axe,  p.  579. 

It  is  probable  these  parties  were  intermediate  holders  of  the 
manor,  or  some  part  of  it,  derived  from  William  Christenstow 
or  his  assigns,  whose  interest  Sir  Thomas  Brook,  senior,  pur- 
chased, and  subsequently  his  son  completed  the  title  and  pos- 
session by  exchange  of  lands  at  Holcombe-Burnell  with 
Thomas  Dennys,  the  grandson  of  Alice  Christenstow,  sister 
and  heiress  of  her  brother  William,  whose  interest  in  Wycroft 
had  descended  to  him. 

* Arms  of  Chudderlegh,  Argent,  on  a chevron  sable,  three  acorns  or,  between 
three  ravens  head x erazed  sable  ; of  Gobodesley,  Party  per  pale  argent  and  sable, 
an  eagle  displayed  double-necked  sable  and  or;  of  Christenstow,  of  Wycroft, 
Azure,  a bend  indented  or  and  ermine,  between  two  cotizes  ermine  ; of  Dennys, 
Ermine,  a chevron  between  three  Danish  axes  gules. 


12 


Papers , Sfc. 


The  manor  of  Holcombe-Burnell  had  been  possessed  from 
a very  early  date  by  the  family  of  de  Kaul  or  Kaile,  whose 
last  male  owner  appears  to  have  been  John  Kaile,  son  of 
Thomas  Kaul,  alias  Kaile,  temp.  Rich.  II  (1377-99);  and  in 
the  Visitation  for  1564,  it  is  set  down  that  Sir  Thomas  Brook 
married  Johanna  the  daughter  and  heir  of  John  Kaile,  and  so 
presumably  acquired  the  manor ; and  it  is  added  that  Thomas 
Brook,  his  son,  “ qui  cum  praedicta  Johanna  rnatre  ejus  vendi- 
derunt  manerium  praedictum  Thomae  Dennys  ar .”  But  the 
herald  is  evidently  in  error  as  to  Sir  Thomas  Brook  marrying 
a daughter  of  Thomas  Kaile;  no  such  alliance  is  on  record. 
Sir  Thomas  doubtless  purchased  it,  about  the  same  time  he 
acquired  the  part  interest  in  Weycroft,  and  exchanged  it  with 
Thomas  Dennys  to  complete  the  title,  the  entry  in  the  Visi- 
tation confirming  Pole’s  account.  There  was  a family  of 
Kaile  or  Kaull  that  held  lands  at  Chard,  where  also  Sir 
Thomas  Brook  had  considerable  possessions.  Arms  of  Kaul — 
Quarterly  embattled  argent  and  sable. 

At  the  death  of  Dame  Johanna  and  the  migration  of  her 
son  to  Cobham,  the  glory  appears  to  have  departed  from 
Weycroft,  and  Risdon  writing  about  1630,  remarks— 

“Sir  Thomas  Broke,  the  father  of  him  that  married  with  Joan  Bray  Broke, 
who  brought  the  barony  of  Cobham  into  that  family,  built  here,  on  the  rising  of 
au  hill,  a fair  new  house,  castle-like,  and  enclosed  a large  and  spacious  park, 
being  a very  pleasant  scite  over  the  river,  and  hath  a good  prospect.  It  con- 
tinued in  this  family  until  the  attainder  of  the  Lord  Cobham,  in  the  reign  of 
King  James,  who  gave  it  to  Charles  (Blount),  late  Earl  of  Devon,  whose  feoffees 
have  sold  it  unto  Mr.  Bennet,  Sheriff  of  London.  The  park  is  destroyed,  and 
the  house  begins  to  decay  for  want  of  a worthy  dweller  to  make  his  abode 
there.  ” 

Weycroft  still  exhibits  in  some  degree  a measure  of  its 
antient  importance,  is  most  picturesquely  situated  on  a knoll 
overlooking  the  Axe  river  and  valley,  and  there  is  a portion 
of  the  avenue  remaining  leading  from  the  mansion  across  a 
field  in  the  direction  of  Axminster.  There  are  also  remains 
of  buildings,  walls  with  arches  built  up,  extending  south  of 
the  present  house,  the  site  being  now  a garden. 


WEYCROFT 


WEYCROFT 


The  Brook  Family . 13 

TBrook, 

OF  LE  BROOK,  IN  ILCHESTER,  SOMERSET, 
OLDITCH,  IN  THORNCOMBE,  AND  WEYCROFT,  IN  AXMINSTER, 

DEVON. 

The  earliest  location  of  the  family  of  Brook,  and  from  which 
they  presumably  derived  their  name,  was  from  a village  so 
called  near  Ilchester.  Collinson  thus  refers  to  it. 

“At  Ilchester  without  the  walls  toward  Montacute,  was  an  antient  village 
called  Brook,  or  the.  Brook,  whence  a family  of  great  antiquity  derived  the 
name  of  at  Brook,  and  de  la  Brook , this  being  the  place  of  their  usual  residence. 
There  are  some  faint  mentions  of  this  family  in  times  approaching  the  Norman 
invasion,  but  in  the  time  of  Henry  III  (1216-72)  and  Edw.  I (1272-1307),  we 
can  speak  with  certainty  of  the  owners  of  this  place,  who  had  therein  manorial 
rights  under  the  commonalty  of  the  town  of  Ilchester.’’ 

1. — (lfllilUam  tl£  TBrOC,  or  de  Brook , lord  of  the  manor  of 
Brook,  appears  to  have  been  the  first  of  these,  who  died  15 
Henry  III  (1231),  leaving  a son  Henry. 

IL—I£entp  tlf  TBfOOk.  He  is  apparently  the  Henry  de 
Broc,  described  by  Pole  as  acquiring  the  manor  of  Olditch 
from  Sir  Reginald  de  Mohun,  who  died  about  1257.  He 
married  jpicjjolfd,  daughter  of  Bryan  de  Goritz,  dominus 
de  Kinyesdun.  There  was  a Brian  de  Goritz,  of  Chipping- 
Blandford,  Dorset,  temp.  Edw.  II,  whose  arms  were — V air e, 
five  fusils  conjoined  in  bend,  yules.  They  left  a son  Henry. 

III. — I^eutr  tie  TBrook  married  ClBabetb and 

deceased  18  Edw.  II  (1324),  leaving  a son  John. 

IV.  — be  TBrook.  He  held  at  his  death,  22  Edw.  Ill 
(1348),  “the  manor  of  Brook,  and  a messuage  with  a curtilage 
and  garden,  and  one  carucate  of  land,  without  the  town  of 
Ivelchester,  of  the  commonalty  of  that  town,  and  also  lands  at 
Sock-Dennis,  Bishopston,  and  Kingston.”  He  married  2|00H, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Bradstone,  Knt. — probably  of  the 
Gloucestershire  family  of  that  name,  of  whom  Thomas  de 
Bradestone,  a Knight-Banneret,  was  summoned  to  Parliament 
as  a Baron,  from  25th  February,  1342,  to  3rd  April,  1360,  in 
which  year  he  died— and  was  succeeded  by  his  grandson 
Thomas,  who  died  about  1370,  leaving  an  only  daughter  and 


14 


Papers , 8fc. 


heiress,  married  to  Walter  de  la  Pole  : their  arms — Argent , on 
a canton  gules , a rose  or , barbed  vert . John  de  Brook  left  a 
son  Thomas. 

V.  — ®{)Oma0  he  ©rook.  He  granted,  31  Edw.  Ill  (1358), 
“to  Thomas  Waryn  and  his  heirs  a certain  yearly  rent  of 
twenty  pounds,  payable  out  of  his  lands  and  tenements  in  la 
Broke  juxta  Ivelchester , and  in  the  town  of  Ivelchester.”  He 
married  ContftflnCC  the  daughter  of  ...  . Markensfeld, 
died  41  Edw.  Ill  (1368),  leaving  a son  Thomas.  The  arms 
of  Markenfield,  of  York,  are  given  as  Argent , on  a bend  sable , 
three  bezants. 

VI.  — hf  ©took.  He  is  included  by  Pole  among 

66  the  men  of  best  worth  in  Devon,”  during  the  reigns  of 
Rich.  II,  Henry  IV,  and  Henry  V (1377-1413),  and  styles 
him  Sir  Thomas  Brooke , de  Holditch , Knt.  In  him  we  reach 
the  most  important  member  of  the  family  while  resident  in  the 
west,  owing  in  large  measure  to  his  marriage  with  the  wealthy 
widow  of  Robert  Chedder,  which  gave  him  considerable  in- 
fluence in  the  counties  of  Somerset  and  Devon. 

He  was  Sheriff  of  Somerset  (1389)  ; Sheriff  of  Devon,  17 
Rich.  II  (1394),  4 Henry  IV  (1403);  Knight  of  the  Shire 
for  Somerset,  10,  11,  15,  20,  and  21  Rich.  II  {1388-98),  1,  3, 
5,  and  11  Henry  IV  ( 1400-1 1),  and  1 and  5 Henry  V (1414-19). 

Sir  Thomas  Brook  married  3! OljaiJrta,  second  daughter  and 
coheiress  of  Simon  Hanap,  or  Hanham,  of  Gloucestershire 
(according  to  Hutchins  so  denominated  from  a place  of  that 
name,  situate  a short  distance  east  of  Bristol)  and  widow  of 
Robert  Chedder,  Mayor  of  that  city  in  1360-1,  who  died 
1382-4 ; and  by  whom  she  had  four  sons.  She  held  in  dower 
extensive  landed  possessions,  and  several  advowsons,  in  Somer- 
set, Gloucester,  and  Dorset,  which  passed  at  her  death  to 
Thomas  Chedder,  her  only  surviving  son  by  this  marriage. 
This  family  of  Chedder  will  be  further  referred  to.* 

* Arms  of  Brook,  of  Olditch — Gules , on  a chevron  argent,  a lion  rampant  sable  ; 
of  Chedder,  Sable,  a chevron  ermine,  between  three  escallops  argent ; of  Hanham, 
Quarterly  or  and  gules,  over  all  on  a bend  engrailed  sable,  three  crosses  form6 
fitcM  of  the  first. 


The  Brook  Family. 


15 


By  her  second  husband,  Sir  Thomas  Brook,  she  appears  to 
have  had  two  sons,  Thomas  and  Michael. 

Between  the  years  1395  and  9 Henry  IV  ( L407),  Sir  Thomas 
purchased  the  manor  of  Wey croft,  in  the  parish  of  Axminster, 
situate  about  a mile  from  that  town,  and  three  from  Olditch  ; 
and  there  erected  a residence  of  castellated  form,  on  a pic- 
turesque eminence  overlooking  the  river  and  valley  of  the  Axe. 
Although,  apparently  from  traces  left,  much  of  the  original 
structure  has  been  destroyed,  the  portion  remaining  is  of  con- 
siderable size,  and  if  somewhat  modernized,  its  antient  fea- 
tures have  been  tolerably  well  preserved  by  subsequent  repairs. 
In  the  extension  of  the  building,  at  the  rear,  what  was  once 
the  hall  still  exists,  with  side  windows  of  transomed  and 
cusped  lights,  and  a handsome  chimney-piece  in  the  gable  end ; 
as  shown  in  the  illustration. 

An  important  event  was  now  about  to  happen  which  raised 
the  family  of  Brook  to  their  highest  position,  and  withdrew 
them  soon  after  from  their  pleasant  squire-built  residence  in 
this  Devonshire  valley,  to  the  grand  associations  of  baronial 
Cobham,  in  the  fertile  plains  of  Kent. 

This  was  the  marriage  of  Thomas  Brook,  their  eldest  son, 
born  about  1391,  with  Joan  Braybroke,  the  daughter,  only 
surviving  child,  and  sole  heiress  of  Joan  de  la  Pole,  Lady  of 
Cobham,  in  Kent,  by  her  second  husband  Sir  Nicholas  Bray- 
broke. 

On  February  20th,  11  Henry  IV  (1409-10),  a contract  was 
entered  into  between  Sir  Thomas  Brook  of  the  one  part,  and 
Sir  John  Oldcastle,  and  the  Lady  Joan,  his  wife,  on  the  other 
(he  was  her  fourth  husband),  that  his  son  Thomas  should 
marry  Joan  the  daughter  of  the  latter,  before  the  Feast  of 
Pentecost,  next  ensuing,  if  God  should  grant  them  life — si 
Feus  illis  vitam  concedit. 

On  29th  November,  1417,  Edmund  Stafford,  Bishop  of 
Exeter,  granted  a license  to  Thomas  Brook,  Esq.,  and  Joan 
his  wife,  to  have  a domestic  chapel  or  oratory,  “ infra  Mans- 


16 


Papers , Sfc. 


ionem  suam  de  Wycroft  in  Parochid  de  AxmynstreP 

The  death  of  Sir  Thomas,  according  to  the  inscription  on 
the  brass  is  placed  as  occurring  on  the  23rd  January,  1419, 
5 Henry  I V ; but  the  year  is  probably  an  error,  as  the  probate 
of  his  will  was  granted  5th  February,  1417-8. 

In  1427,  a license 

“ To  enclose  a park  of  eight  hundred  acres  and  to  crenellate  the  mansion  was 
granted  to  Humfrey,  Duke  of  Gloucester,  Sir  Thomas  Brooke,  Sir  Giles 
Daubeney  and  others,  who  appear  to  have  been  acting  as  his  co-trustees,  prob- 
ably in  connection  with  a settlement  made  in  1410,  on  the  marriage  of  the  (then) 
owner,  Sir  Thomas  Brooke,  with  Joan  Bray  broke.  With  stones  and  lime  to  enclose, 
crenellate,  turrellate  and  embattle  their  Manor  ( House)  of  Wycroft,  in  Axminstre, 
and  make  a park  there,  with  all  liberties  and  franchises,  so  that  no  one  should 
flee  into  it,  or  enter  to  seize  anyone  without  leave — Manerium  suum  de  Wycroft 
in  Axminstre,  cum  petris  et  calce  includere  krenellare  et  battellare  et  octingentas 
acras  terre  et  bosci  in  Axminstre  includere  et  parcum  inde  facere  possint.^ — 
Pulman’s  Book  of  the  Axe,  p.  579. 

In  the  enclosing  of  this  park,  an  incident  not  uncommon  of 
its  kind  occurred,  pertinent  to  such  operations,  that  of  ob- 
structing or  closing  certain  rights  of  way  belonging  to  neigh- 
bouring owners  and  the  public,  over  the  said  park,  and  causing 
a dispute  thereby. 

At  Shute,  about  four  miles  from  Wey croft,  there  resided  at 
that  date  Sir  William  Bonville,  afterward  Lord  Bonville,  K.G., 
of  Chewton-Mendip,  executed  after  the  second  battle  of  St. 
Albans,  in  1460-61.  He  was  the  grandson  of  Sir  William 
Bonville,  of  Shute,  who  died  in  1407-8,  to  whose  will  44  Mon- 
sieur Thomas  Brooke,”  the  husband  of  Lady  Johanna  was 
appointed  an  overseer.  It  is  easy  to  see  how  the  dispute 
arose,  as  between  them. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  valley,  and  nearly  opposite  Wey- 
croft,  is  an  estate  or  manor  called  Uphay,  which  belonged  to 
Sir  William  Bonville ; and  the  residence  thereon,  which  his 
family  probably  occasionally  occupied,  appears  to  have  been 
of  sufficient  consideration  for  Bishop  Brantyngham  to  grant 
him  a licence  for  a domestic  chapel  there,  24th  July,  1375 — 
a further  licence  for  the  same  object  being  granted  or  renewed 
by  Bishop  Lacy  on  8th  May,  1421. 

By  the  imparking  such  a large  tract  of  land  as  eight  hundred 


Snnr  ?trr.  ot.  wjr  jaw  m vi*  m Unis'  smite 


SIR  THOMAS  AND  DAME  JOHANNA  BROOK. 


THORN COMBE  CHURCH,  DEVON. 


The  Brook  Family. 


17 


acres,  by  the  widowed  Lady  Johanna  and  her  son  Sir  Thomas, 
doubtless  some  public  rights  of  way  from  Uphay  and  elsewhere 
across  it,  had  been  obstructed  or  stopped. 

Accordingly  the  matter  was  referred  to  Nicholas  Wysbeche, 
Abbot  of  the  adjacent  Abbey  of  Newenham,  and  others  for 
adjustment,  who,  observes  Mr.  Davidson- — 

“Was  appointed,  with  five  of  his  neighbours  a mediator  in  a dispute  between 
Sir  William  Bonville,  of  Shute,  and  Joan  the  widow  of  Sir  Thomas  Brooke, 
arising  from  the  obstruction  of  several  public  roads  and  paths  in  the  foundation 
and  enclosure  of  the  park  at  Wey croft  by  the  lady  and  her  son.  The  transcript 
of  an  instrument  has  been  preserved  which  recites  the  circumstances  of  the  case 
at  great  length,  and  concluded  with  an  award,  which  as  the  Abbot  was  nomi- 
nated by  the  Lady  Brooke,  does  credit  to  his  justice  as  an  umpire,  as  well  as  to 
his  hospitality  ; for,  after  deciding  on  every  point  in  favour  of  Sir  William 
Bonville,  and  directing  all  the  ways  to  be  thrown  open  to  the  public,  it  con- 
cludes by  directing  the  knight  and  the  lady  should  ride  amicably  together  to 
Newenham  Abbey  on  a day  appointed,  where  they  should  exchange  a kiss  in 
token  of  peace  and  friendship,  and  dine  together  at  the  Abbot’s  table.  The 
deed  is  dated  at  Axminster,  13th  August,  1428.  ’ 

Lady  Johanna  Brook  survived  her  second  husband  just 
twenty  years,  and  died  on  10th  April,  1437,  and  they  were 
both  buried  at  the  east  end  of  the  north  aisle  of  Thorncombe 
old  church,  where  two  fine  brass  effigies  were  placed  to  their 
memory  on  a stone  in  the  pavement,  with  a ledger  inscription 
and  four  shields.  The  figures  have  fortunately  been  preserved, 
but  only  a small  portion  of  the  inscription  remained,  and  the 
shields  were  gone.  The  new  church  at  Thorncombe  does  not 
occupy  the  same  site  as  the  former  one,  but  the  effigies  have 
been  preserved  and  inserted  in  another  stone  and  placed  in  a 
relative  position  therein  on  a low  tomb,  with  this  restored  in- 
scription around  them  : 

“ Here  lyth  Sir  Thomas  Brook  Knygte  the  whiche  dyed  the  xxiii 
day  of  Januiere  the  yere  of  oure  lorde  MCCCC  XIX 
and  the  fifte  yere  of  Kynge  Harry  the  V.  Also  here  lyth 
dame  Johan  Brook  the  wyfe  of  the  sayde  Thomas  the 
whyche  died  the  x day  of  Apryll : The  yere  of  our  lorde 
MCCCC  XXX  VI J and  the  xv  yere  of  Kynge  Harry 
the  vj : on  whois  Soules  God  haue  mercy  8f  pite  that  for  vs 
dyed  on  the  Rode  tree,  amenf 

The  effigies  are  two  of  the  most  distinguished  to  be  found 

c 


Vol.  X LI  V (Third  Series,  VoL  IV),  Part  II. 


18 


Papers , fyc. 


remaining  of  that  era.  Sir  Thomas  is  clad  in  a long  gown, 
with  deep  dependant  sleeves,  guarded  with  fur  around  the 
skirt  and  collar,  and  pulled  in  at  the  waist  by  a belt  studded 
with  roses.  Within  the  gown  a second  garment  appears,  with 
four  rows  of  fur  around  the  skirt.  His  hair  is  polled,  and 
his  feet  rest  on  a greyhound  couchant,  collared.  Lady 
Johanna  wears  a long  robe  fastened  across  the  breast  by  a 
cordon  with  tassells,  over  a plain  gown.  Her  hair  is  dressed 
in  semi-mitre  shape,  and  confined  by  a richly  jewelled  net, 
over  which  is  placed  the  cover-chief,  edged  with  embroidery, 
and  dependant  to  the  shoulders.  At  her  feet  is  a little  lap- 
dog,  collared  and  belled.  Both  wear  the  collar  of  S.S.,  their 
arms  are  in  tightly-fitting  sleeves,  and  the  hands  are  raised  in 
prayer. 

At  the  death  of  Lady  Johanna  Brook,  the  large  possessions 
she  had  held  in  dower  of  her  first  husband  Robert  Chedder, 
which  included  the  manor  of  Cheddar  and  the  advowson  of  the 
Chantry  of  our  Blessed  Lady  in  the  church  there,  was  inherited 
by  her  only  surviving  son  by  him,  Thomas  Chedder  (ob. 
1442-3),  who  had  married  a Devonshire  lady,  Isabel  Scobahull, 
of  South-Pool,  a parish  in  the  southernmost  angle  of  that 
county. 

Thomas  Brook,  her  eldest  son  by  her  second  husband,  suc- 
ceeded to  Olditch,  Weycroft,  Brook-Ivelchester,  and  other 
landed  property  of  considerable  extent  belonging  to  his  father 
— and  he  had  made  a distinguished  match  with  Joan  Bray- 
broke,  only  daughter  and  heiress  of  the  Lady  of  Cobham,  in 
Kent. 

Of  the  other  son,  Michael  Brook,  we  get  no  account,  and  he 
probably  died  without  issue. 

VII. — ^>tr  ®fjoma0  2Br00fh  the  son  of  Sir  Thomas  Brook 
and  the  Lady  Johanna,  was  born  about  1391,  he  being  twenty- 
six  years  of  age  at  the  death  of  his  father,  23rd  January, 
1417-8.  He  was  Knight  of  the  Shire  for  Dorset,  1 Henry  V 
(1413-4)  : for  the  county  of  Somerset,  8 Henry  V (1420-1), 


The  Brook  Family. 


19 


and  1 and  5 Henry  VI  (1422-3  and  1426-7),  and  was  knighted 
between  1416  and  1422. 

His  marriage  with  31 0£ltT,  only  surviving  child  and  sole 
heiress  of  Joan  de  la  Pole,  Lady  of  Cobham,  by  her  second 
husband  Sir  Reginald  Braybroke,  took  place  in  1409-10, 
and  she  proved  a prolific  mother,  bringing  him  ten  sons  and 
four  daughters.  Of  the  sons  ( 1 ) Edward , eldest  son  and  heir 
was  summoned  to  Parliament  as  a Baron  by  writs  from  13th 
January,  1444-5  (23  Henry  VI),  to  28th  February,  1462-3 
(2  Edw.  IV),  as  “Edward  Broke  de  Cobham , Chivalier .”  He 
was  a strong  adherent  of  the  House  of  York,  and  as  previously 
related,  had  his  mansion  at  Olditch  sacked  by  the  Lancastrian 
Earl  of  Ormond  ; was  present  at  the  first  battle  of  St.  Alban’s, 
23rd  May,  1455  ; took  part  in  the  solemn  procession  to  St. 
Paul’s,  London  ; and  commanded  the  left  wing  of  the  York- 
shire men  at  the  battle  of  Northampton,  10th  July,  1460. 
He  married  Elizabeth , daughter  of  James  Touchet , Lord  Andley , 
and  died  in  1464.  (2)  Reginald , was  of  Aspall,  in  Suffolk,  with 

descent  still  in  existence.  (3)  Hugh  : he  married  Petronel 
. . . . and  his  descendants  settled  in  Somerset.  John , his  son, 
Sergeant-at-law  to  Henry  VIII,  married  a daughter  of 
Mericke,  of  Bristol,  and  had  three  sons  : Thomas , married  Joan 
Speke,  and  had  issue  ; Hugh , of  Long  Ashton  ; Arthur , whose 
son  Edward , was  of  Barrow-Gurney,  and  he  had  issue  Hugh , 
who  married  Dorothy  Preston,  of  Glastonbury, ; Thomas , 
also  of  Glastonbury  Abbey  (1623),  who  married  Rebecca, 
daughter  and  co-heir  of  John  Wyke,  of  Ninehead, ; and  Sir 
Davy  or  David  Brook , Lord  Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer, 
Knighted  1 Mary  (1553),  who  married  Catherine,  sister  of 
John  Bridges,  Lord  Chandois — this  descent  is  given  in  the 
Somerset  Visitation  for  1623.  (4)  Thomas ; (5)  John ; (6) 

Robert ; (7)  Peter ; (8)  Christopher  ; (9)  Henry  ; (10)  Morgan  ; 
all  died  without  issue.  Of  the  daughters:  (1)  Margaret ; 
(2)  Christian , died  without  issue;  (3)  Joan , or  query  Isabel , 
married  John  Carrant ; (4)  Elizabeth , John  St.  Maure,  whose 


20 


Papers , $•£. 


daughter  Joan  married  John  Blewitt , of  Holcombe-Bogus, 
whose  son  Nicholas , oh.  22nd  August,  1523. 

Although  his  wife  styled  herself  Lady  of  Cobham,  her 
husband  was  never  summoned  to  Parliament  as  a Baron — the 
title  remaining  in  abeyance  thirty-two  years,  from  22nd  March, 
1413,  temp.  Sir  John  Oldcastle,  until  Sir  Thomas  Brook’s  son, 
Sir  Edward  Brook,  had  summons,  13th  January,  1445.  He 
survived  his  mother  seven  years,  his  mother-in-law  five  years 
only,  and  died  in  1429.  A continuation  of  the  descent  of 
Brook,  will  be  given. 


Cofifcam, 

OF  COBHAM,  KENT,  AND  OF  SOMERSET  AND  DEVON. 

Our  little  annals  have  shewn  that  Sir  Thomas  Brook,  the 
younger,  of  Olditch  and  Weycroft,  made  the  distinguished 
match  of  taking  to  wife,  Joan  Braybroke,  the  only  daughter 
and  sole  heiress  of  Joan  de  la  Pole-Braybroke,  Lady  of  Cob- 
ham,  in  Kent  : thereupon,  or  soon  after,  he  appears  to  have 
forsaken  the  olden  associations  of  his  birth-place,  and  the  in- 
heritances derived  from  his  ancestors  in  Somerset  and  Devon, 
migrating  to  the  grander  attractions  of  baronial  Cobham, 
where  his  name  and  posterity,  ennobled  and  otherwise  greatly 
honoured,  flourished  for  several  generations.  A notice  of  this 
succession  now  demands  attention. 

The  very  antient  family  of  Cobham,  in  Kent,  although  so 
far  removed  from  the  west-country,  had  very  early  associations 
with  the  counties  of  Somerset  and  Devon. 

The  first  so  related,  and  pertaining  to  this  account,  were  two 
brothers,  Henry  and  John  de  Cobham,  the  sons  of  John  de 
Cobham,  fourth  in  the  Kent  descent. 

John  de  Cobham  was  Sheriff  of  Kent,  1259-61  ; Justice 
Itinerant  of  the  Common  Pleas,  1267-71  ; King’s  Sergeant 
and  Justice  of  the  King’s  Bench,  1275  ; Baron  of  the  Ex- 


The  Brook  Family. 


21 


chequer,*  and  Constable  of  the  Castle  and  City  of  Rochester, 
1279-80.  Both  were  his  sons  by  his  first  wife,  Joan,  daughter 
of  Sir  Robert  de  Septvans  ; she  died  before  1298,  and  he  de- 
ceased in  March,  1300.  They  were  both  buried  in  the  parish 
church  of  St.  Mary  Magdalen,  Cobham,  where  his  gravestone 
remains,  denuded  of  its  brasses  : but  his  wife’s  effigy  still 
exists  clad  in  wimple,  cover-chief  and  long  robe,  under  a fine 
canopy,  said  to  be  the  earliest  known  example  of  a canopy  to 
a monumental  brass.  Boutell  (1848)  says,  “the  Longobardic 
letters  and  narrow  fillets  of  latten  have  been  removed  from 
the  verge  of  the  slab,  to  which  this  fine  brass  is  attached,”  and 
that  the  inscription  ran  thus  : 

Dame  : Jone  : de  : Kobeham  : gist  : isi  : devs  : de  : sa  : alme  : 
eit : merci  : kike : pur  : le  : alme  : priera.  : quaravate  : jours  : 
de  : pardovn  : avera. 
which  may  be  rendered  : 

“ Dame  Jone  de  Kobeham  lies  here — God  have  mercy  on  her  soul . 
Each  one  who  shall  pray  for  her  soul , shall  have  forty  days 
pardonT 

This  brass  has  been  erroneously  assigned  to  represent  the 
wife  of  her  grandson,  Joan  de  Beauchamp,  who  died  subse- 
quent to  1343,  a period  much  too  late  for  the  costume. 

Henry  de  Cobham,  his  eldest  son,  was  appointed  Con- 
stable of  the  Castle  and  City  of  Rochester,  1304,  and  Constable 
of  the  Castle  of  Dover,  and  Warden  of  the  Cinque  Ports,  34 
Edw.  I,  1305-6.  He  was  the  first  Baron  of  Cobham,  being 
summoned  to  Parliament  as  such,  from  8th  January,  1313,  to 
22nd  January,  1336  ; and  is  described  by  Mr.  Waller,  as  “a 
stirring  and  active  man  in  the  public  administration  and  mili- 
tary enterprises  of  the  nation.”  He  married  Maud,  the 
daughter  of  Eudo  de  Moreville , and  widow  of  Matthew  de 
Columbers. 

* Pole  mentions  a John  Cobham,  “ who  sate  in  Devon,  ye  33  yeere  K.  Henry 
III,”  1249 — probably  father  of  this  John,  who  was  Justice  Itinerant  and  of  the 
Common  Pleas  at  this  time— and  another  John  de  Cobham,  “who  sate  at 
Exon.,”  in  1286. 


22 


Papers , Sfc. 


In  pursuing  our  narrative  we  have  now  to  make  a diversion 
into  Somerset,  and  follow  him  there. 

At  Stoke-sub-Hamdon  was  one  of  the  mansions  or  cas- 
tellated residences  of  the  antient  and  distinguished  family  of 
the  Beauchamps — Barons  Beauchamp, also  styled,  “of  Hacche,” 
(Hatch-Beauchamp),  in  the  county  of  Somerset.  It  was  of 
considerable  size  as  befitted  their  rank  and  station,  license  to 
fortify  it  being  granted,  7 Edw.  Ill  (1334),  and  attached  to  it 
was  a chantry  or  free  chapel,  apparently  of  large  size,  dedicated 
to  St.  Nicholas;  but  of  all  these  extensive  buildings,  a few 
insignificant  portions  only,  now  remain. 

Its  occupant  at  this  era  was  John  de  Beauchamp,  the  first 
of  the  family  summoned  to  Parliament  as  a Baron,  27  Edw.  I 
(1299) — he  was  frequently  engaged  in  military  service  under 
that  monarch,  by  whom  he  was  Knighted  in  1306,  in  company 
with  the  king’s  eldest  son,  Prince  Edward,  in  the  expedition 
to  Scotland,  in  that  year ; he  also  signed  the  celebrated  letter 
to  the  Pope,  29  Edw.  I (1299).  He  was  also  constituted 
Governor  of  Bridgwater  Castle.  In  1304  he  founded  in  the 
chapel  at  Stoke-Beauchamp,  a Collegiate  Chantry,  consisting 
of  a Provost  and  four  other  Chaplains,  and  suitably  endowed 
it,  together  with  a house  in  the  village  for  their  common  resi- 
dence, which  still  exists.  The  Beauchamps  were  munificently 
inclined  toward  the  Church,  some  earlier  members  of  the 
family  are  assigned  to  be  the  founders  of  the  Augustine  Priory 
of  St.  Gregory,  at  F rithelstock,  in  north  Devon,  and  bene- 
factors to  the  Cistercian  Abbey  of  Ford,  where  their  arms 
Voire. , appear  on  the  sinister  side  of  the  Conventual  seal.  He 
died  10  Edw.  Ill  (1337),  and  by  his  wife,  Joan,  left  two  sur- 
viving children,  John  his  heir,  and  a daughter  Joan. 

In  the  year  1316,  the  aforesaid  Henry  de  Cobham  was 
apparently  on  a visit  to  this  John  de  Beauchamp,  at  his  man- 
sion at  Stoke-sub-Hamdon.  About  1314,  John  de  Cobham, 
his  son,  had  married  the  above  Joan,  only  daughter  of  his 
host,  J ohn  de  Beauchamp,  and  her  father  gave  her  a marriage 


The  Brook  Family. 


23 


portion  of  four  hundred  pounds.  Henry  de  Cobham  died  at 
Stoke  during  his  visit,  9 Edw.  II  (1316),  aged  76,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Collegiate  Chapel  adjoining  the  mansion,  his  son 
John  being  present,  the  details  of  whose  journey  and  expenses, 
which  were  defrayed  by  the  Cobhams,  were  extant  in  1574. 

The  interesting  old  itinerant  Leland,  who  visited  Somerset 
about  1541-2,  was  evidently  greatly  impressed  with  the  impor- 
tant castle  of  the  Beauchamps  at  Stoke-sub-Hamdon,  and  its 
attendant  chapel,  and  so  put  on  record  a singularly  detailed 
account  of  what  he  witnessed  there,  at  that  time  apparently  in 
the  earlier  stages  of  decay.  For  the  easier  realization  of  its 
then  remaining  glory,  his  description  has  been  rendered  in 
modern  spelling  : 

“ I saw  at  Stoke  in  a bottom  hard  by  the  village  very  notable  ruins  of  a great 
Manor  Place  or  Castle,  and  in  this  Manor  Place  remaineth  a very  ancient 
Chapel,  wherein  be  divers  tombs  of  noble  men  and  women. 

In  the  south  west  side  of  the  Chapel  be  five  images  on  tombs,  one  hard 
joined  to  another,  three  of  men  harnessed  and  shielded,  and  two  of  women. 
There  hath  been  inscriptions  on  each  of  them,  but  now  so  sore  defaced,  they 
cannot  be  read.  I saw  a shield  or  two  all  V air 6,  of  blue  and  white.  There  be 
in  this  part  of  the  Chapel  also,  two  tombs  without  images. 

There  is  in  the  north  side  of  the  body  of  the  Chapel,  a tomb  in  the  wall 
without  image  or  writing,  and  a tomb  with  a goodly  image  of  a man  of  arms  in 
the  north  side  of  the  quire  with  shield  as  I remember  all  Vaire ; and  even  afore 
the  quire  door  but  without  it,  lieth  a very  great  flat  marble  stone,  with  an 
image  in  brass  flatly  graven,  and  this  writing  in  French  about  it. 

“ Id  gist  le  noble  & vaillant  Chivaler  Maheu  de  Gurney  iadys  seneschal  de 
Landes  <fe  capitain  du  Chastel  Daques  pro  nostre  seignor  le  roy  en  la  duche  de 
Guyene,  que  en  sa  vie  fu  a la.  batail  de  Beaumarin,  <£•  ala  apres  a la  siege  Dal- 
gezire  sur  le  Sarazines,  & auxi  a les  batailles  de  Lescluse,  de  Cressy,  de 
Yngenesse,  de  Peyteres,  de  Nazara.  Dozrey,  & a plusours  autres  batailles  <£ 
asseges  en  les  quex  il  gaina  noblement  graund  los  & honour  per  le  space  de 
xxiiij  & xvj  ans,  & morust  le  xxvj  jour  de  Septembre  lan  nostre  seignor  Jesu 
Christ  MCCCCVJ  que  de  salme  dieux  eit  mercy.  Amen.” 

There  was  beside  this  grave  another,  in  the  west-end  of  the  body  of  the 
Chapel,  having  a great  flat  stone  without  inscription. 

I marked  in  the  windows  three  sorts  of  arms,  one  all  Vaire,  blue  and  white, 
another  with  three  stripes  gules  down-right  in  a field  of  gold.  The  third  was 
crosslets  of  gold  many  intemixt  in  one  in  a field,  as  I remember,  gold. 

There  is  a Provost  belonging  to  this  Collegiate  Chapel  now  in  decay,  where 
sometime  was  good  service,  and  now  but  a mass  said  three  times  in  the  week.” 

Of  the  fine  mansion  only  the  barest  traces  of  the  foundations 
are  now  visible,  and  of  the  evidently  large  chapel,  filled  with 
an  array  of  the  most  interesting  tombs — eleven  in  number — 
to  the  Beauchamps,  the  antient  lords  of  the  place,  knights  and 
ladies  reclining  around,  “ in  their  habits  as  they  lived,”  doubt- 


24 


Papers , 8fc. 


less  among  them  their  visitor  and  relative  Henry  de  Cobham, 
who  was  there  buried,  the  brazen  effigies  of  the  aged  warrior, 
. Sir  Matthew  Gournay,  in  his  harness,  stretched  upon  the  floor* 
at  the  entrance  door  of  the  choir,  and  the  windows  above  them 
sparkling  with  the  armories  of  their  families  and  descent, 
must  have  formed  an  unique  sight. 

Of  this  once  almost  fairy  scene  of  mediaeval  interest,  now, 
not  a vestige  remains,  and  when  the  writer  visited  the  place  a 
few  years  since,  a potato  garden  occupied  its  site,  in  the  centre 
of  which  an  interment  or  two  had  been  discovered,  the  remains 
indicating  their  having  been  male  and  female,  and  from  time 
to  time  a few  pieces  of  encaustic  tiles  and  fragments  of 
sculpture  are  occasionally  exhumed.  Its  desecration  and 
effacement  is  complete. 

John  ue  Cobham,  second  Baron,  was  Knight  of  the  Shire 
for  Kent  at  intervals  between  1312  and  1334-5,  in  which  latter 
year  he  was  constituted  Admiral  of  the  Fleet  from  the  mouth 
of  the  Thames  westward,  a Justice  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  and 
Constable  of  Rochester  Castle.  He  was  summoned  to  Parlia- 
ment as  a Baron,  from  24th  November,  1350,  to  15th  March, 
1354-5,  and  for  his  military  services  was  created  a Knight- 
Banneret  by  Edward  III,  with  an  annuity  of  a hundred  marks. 
His  first  wife  Joan  Beauchamp,  was  alive  in  1343,  and  he 
married  secondly  Agnes,  daughter  of  Richard  Stone , of  Dart- 
ford.  He  died  25th  February,  1354-5,  and  was  buried  in  the 
chancel  at  Cobham,  where  his  brass  still  exists,  the  armour 
and  appointments  being  very  similar  to  those  of  his  son,  the 
Founder  of  the  College.  The  inscription  is  remarkable  and  no 
other  exactly  like  it  is  known  : 

66  Vous  qe  passez  ici  entour  Priez  pur  lalme  le  cortays  viandour 

* This  redoubtable  old  knight  was  the  last  possessor  of  Stoke,  by  his  marriage 
with  Alice,  ob  1383,  widow  of  John,  fourth  and  last  Baron  Beauchamp,  ob.  1361, 
and  at  his  death  it  reverted  to  the  Crown  and  was  included  in  the  possessions 
of  the  Duchy  of  Cornwall.  He  died  in  1406,  aged  ninety-six,  and  had  for  his 
companion-in-arms,  another  venerable  west-country  knight,  Sir  John  Sully, 
K.G..  of  Iddesleigh,  in  Devon,  whose  tomb  and  effigies  are  in  Crediton  church, 
and  who  died  in  1387,  aged  one  hundred  and  seven.  They  fought  together  at 
Cressy  and  Najara,  serving  in  the  French  wars  of  that  era. 


The  Brook  Family. 


25 


Qc  Johan  de  Cohham  anoit  a,  noun  Dieux  luy  face  uerray 
pardoun  Qe  trepassa  lendemayn  de  Seint  Mathei  Le  puis- 
aunt  otrie  ademorer  one  ly  En  lan  de  grace  Mil  CCCL' 
qatre  Ces  enemis  fist  abatreT 
which  tells  us 

“ Ye  who  pass  by  here , pray  for  the  soul  of  the  gentle  host , who 
was  named  Johan  de  Cobh  am.  God  to  him  give  very  pardon  ; 
who  passed  away  the  day  after  St.  Mattheiv  s day.  The 
Almighty  grant  (him)  to  dwell  with  Him.  In  the  year  of 
grace , 1354.  Those  enemies  he  hath  made  to  be  abased?' 

The  date  would  be  the  25th  February,  1354-5. 

A second  digression  awaits  us  here,  concerning  John  de 
Cobham,  the  younger  brother  of  Henry  de  Cobham  (the  first 
baron  of  that  name  who  died  at  Stoke-sub-Hamdon)  and  who 
came  into  Devon  and  settled  there. 


Cobftam, 

OF  BLACKBOROUGH,  DEVON. 

Blackborough,  a parish  in  east  Devon,  lying  under  the 
Blackdown  hills,  a few  miles  east  of  Collumpton,  was  held  by 
the  Bolhays,  of  Blackburgh-Bolhay.  Hamelin  de  Bolhav  died 
54  Henry  III  (1270),  and  Dame  Philippa  de  Bolhay  presented 
to  the  living  of  Blackborough,  8th  January,  1274-5.  Here  a 
branch  of  the  Cobhams  was  located  in  Devon. 

John  de  Cobham,  described  by  Pole  as  a “younger  son 
of  Cobham  in  Kent,”  was  the  younger  son  of  John  de  Cobham 
and  Joan  de  Septvans,  and  brother  to  Henry  de  Cobham,  the 
first  Baron,  who  died  at  Stoke-sub-Hamdon,  in  1339.  He 
married  Amicia  or  Amy,  daughter  of  James  de  Bolhay , of 
Blackburgh-Bolhay,  and  inherited  the  manor.  There  were 
four  children,  James , his  heir  ; Isabel , who  married  John  Barn- 
field,  of  Poltimore  ; Elizabeth , to  Sir  Hugh  Peverell,  from 
whom  the  Hungerfords  ; and  Philippa , to  Nicholas  Ingpen, 
from  whom  successively  Fitchett,  Hill  of  Spaxton,  Cheney  of 


Vol  XL IV  (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


d 


26 


Papers,  &fc. 


Pinhoe,  and  Walgrave,  of  Suffolk.  James  de  Cobham  was 
succeeded  by  John , named  as  eighth  in  the  entail  settled  by 
John  de  Cobham,  third  Baron,  who  married  Margaret  Courte- 
nay, son  of  John,  second  Baron,  who  married  Joan  Beauchamp, 
of  Stoke-sub-Hamdon.  He  was  succeeded  by  Sir  John  Cob- 
ham , 7 Rich.  II  (1394),  who  married  Katherine , eldest  daughter 
of  Sir  William  Bonville , of  Shute,  ob.  1407-8,  by  his  first  wife 
Margaret  de  Aumarle.  They  would  thus  be  contemporary 
with  Sir  Thomas  and  Dame  Johanna  Brook,  whose  son  married 
the  heiress  of  the  main  descent  of  Cobham  in  Kent.  It  was  of 
this  lady  the  domestic  incident  is  related  that  occurred  at  the 
baptism  of  her  nephew,  the  unfortunate  Lord  William  Bon- 
ville, of  Chewton,  K.G.,  when  he  made  proof  as  to  his  coming 
of  age,  before  the  king’s  escheator,  in  the  first  year  of  King 
Henry  V,  1413-14.  John  Cokesdene  and  others  deposed  that 
on  the  day  of  his  baptism,  the  last  day  of  August,  1393 — 

“They  were  together  elected  at  Honiton  on  a certain  ‘love-day,’  to  make 
peace  between  two  of  their  neighbours,  and  on  that  very  day,  there  came  there 
a certain  Lady  Katherine,  widow  of  Sir  John  Cobham,  Knt.,  and  then  wife  of 
John  Wyke,  of  Nynhyde,  an  aunt  of  the  said  William,  proposing  to  drive  to 
Shute,  thinking  she  should  be  god-mother  to  the  said  infant,  and  met  there  a 
certain  Edward  Dygher,  servant  to  the  said  Sir  William  Bone  vile,  who  was  re- 
puted to  be  half-witted  in  consequence  of  his  being  loquacious  and  jocular,  and 
who  asked  her  whither  she  was  going.  Who  answering  quickly,  said,  ‘Fool, 
to  Shute,  to  see  my  nephew  made  a Christian,’  to  which  the  said  Edward 
replied,  with  a grin,  in  his  mother  tongue,  ‘ Kate,  Kate,  ther  to  by  myn  pate 
comystow  to  late,’  meaning  thereby  that  the  baptism  of  the  child  was  already 
over;  whereupon  she  mounted  upon  her  horse  in  a passion,  and  rode  home  in 
deep  anger,  vowing  that  she  would  not  see  her  sister,  to  wit  the  said  child’s 
mother,  for  the  next  six  months,  albeit  she  should  be  in  extremis,  and  die.” 

By  Sir  John  Cobham  she  had  one  daughter,  Elizabeth , 
married  to  Walter  Charleton , but  there  was  no  issue,  “ after 
whose  death,”  says  Pole,  “by  virtue  of  a remainder  in  an 
entail,  the  Lord  Bonville  enjoyed  this  (Blackburgh)  and  other 
lands,  notwithstanding  the  claim  of  Hungerford,  Hill,  and 
Bamfield,  the  right  heirs.  The  issue  male  (of  Cobham)  failed 
in  the  time  of  Rich.  II,  1377-99.” 

Secondly,  Dame  Katherine  married  John  Wyke,  of  Nyne- 
head-Flory,  Somerset — he  presented  to  the  rectory  of  JBlack- 
borough,  in  June,  1405,  and  died  12  Henry  IV,  1411.  Thirdly, 


The  Brook  Family. 


27 


she  married  Humphrey  Stafford,  of  Grafton,  Worcestershire, 
and  died  1st  August,  1416. 

They  differenced  the  Cobham  |rms  with  eaglets  for  lions , 
and  bore,  Gules , on  a chevron  or , three  eaglets  displayed  sable. 


Cofcfcam, 

OF  KENT,  ETC. — CONTINUED. 

John  de  Cobham,  third  Baron,  was  the  eldest  son  of  John 
de  Cobham,  second  Baron,  by  Joan  Beauchamp,  of  Stoke-sub- 
Hamdon,  his  first  wife.  He  married  about  1332-3,  Margaret, 
eldest  daughter  of  Hugh  Courtenay , second  Earl  of  Devo?in  ob. 
1377,  by  his  wife  Margaret,  ob.  1392,  daughter  of  Humphrey 
de  Bohun,  Earl  of  Hereford  and  Essex,  by  his  wife  the  Princess 
Elizabeth,  seventh  daughter  of  King  Edward  I ; and  who 
were  then  residing  at  Colcombe,  in  Colyton,  Devon. 

At  their  marriage  the  Earl  appears  to  have  settled  sundry 
lands  on  them,  and  on  the  8th  April,  1355,  John  de  Cobham 
gave  a certain  sum  of  money  to  his  father-in-law,  the  Earl  at 
Colcombe,  for  the  maintenance  of  his  wife  there,  and  the  Earl’s 
receipt  for  the  same  is  still  in  existence,  which  runs  thus  : 

* ‘ Conue  chose  soict  a totes  gentz  que  nous  hughe  de  Cortenay  counte  de  Deunes - 
chire  auons  receu  de  Johaun  de  Cobehaum  chiualier  filtz  monsieur  Johaun  de 
Cobehaum  de  Kent  chiualier  quynze  lyures  sys  southe  & oyct  denier s pur  le 
soiourn  et  aultres  necessaries  Margarete  de  Cobehaum  nostre  fylle  sa  compa.igne 
del'  terme  de  Pasche  darroyne  passe  come  pleynement  aperct  par  endentures  entre 
nous  feates.  Des  queaux  quynze  lyures  sys  south  <Ss  oyct  deniers  nous  nous  tenoms 
pleynement  estre  paietz  et  lauaunct  diet  Johaun  quytes  par  icestes  noz  presentes 
lectres  daquytaunce  du  nostre  seal  enseales.  Done  a Colecomb  le  viijme  jour  de 
April  Laan  due  regne  nostre  sognour  le  Roi  Edward  troys  puis  le  conqueste 
vynct  neofysme .” 

which  may  be  thus  rendered  : 

“Be  it  known  to  all  people  that  we,  Hugh  de  Courtenay,  Earl  of  Devonshire, 
have  received  of  John  de  Cobham,  Knight,  son  of  Sire  John  de  Cobham,  of  Kent, 
Knight,  fifteen  pounds,  six  shillings,  and  eightpence,  for  the  lodging  and  other 
necessaries  of  Margaret  de  Cobham,  our  daughter,  his  companion,  from  the  term 
of  Easter  last  past,  as  fully  appears  from  the  indentures  made  between  us.  Of 
which  fifteen  pounds,  six  shillings,  and  eightpence,  we  hold  ourselves  to  be  fully 
paid,  and  the  aforesaid  John  released  by  these  our  present  letters  of  acquain- 
tance with  our  seal  attached.  Given  at  Colcombe  the  8th  day  of  April,  the  29th 
year  of  the  reign  of  our  Lord  King  Edward  the  third  after  the  Conquest.” 


28 


Papers,  $fc. 


This  John  de  Cobham  was  the  last,  as  he  was  also  the  most 
remarkable  and  influential  representative  of  this  the  main 
descent.  Mr.  J.  G.  Waller  in  his  comprehensive  and  admir- 
able account  of  the  family# of  Cobham,  in  the  Kent  Archceo- 
logical  Transactions*  gives  this  interesting  sketch  of  his  life, 
and  infers  that  at  the  time  he  gave  the  curious  receipt : 

He  was  then  probably  about  to  serve  with  the  army  in  France,  where 
Edw.  Ill,  exasperated  at  the  double  dealing  of  Philip,  had  begun  an  active 
campaign.  At  his  father’s  death,  in  1355,  he  became  Lord  of  Cobham,  was 
first  summoned  to  Parliament  20th  September,  the  same  year.  In  1359,  he 
was  in  the  great  expedition  to  France,  under  Edw.  III.  In  1362,  he  founded 
and  endowed  Cobham  College,  for  five  priests,  one  to  be  the  Warden,  to  say 
masses  for  the  repose  of  the  souls  of  the  founder’s  ancestors,  for  the  good 
estate  of  himself  and  family  while  living  and  all  Christian  souls.  In  1366-7, 
he  was  again  in  France,  engaged  in  the  war.  In  1367,  he  was  sent  ambassador 
to  Rome,  to  obtain  from  Pope  Urban  V,  the  appointment  of  William  of  Wyke- 
ham  to  the  See  of  Winchester.  In  1370  he  was  made  a Banneret  by  the  King 
in  person.  In  1337  he  served  on  several  commissions  in  the  public  service. 
In  1380-1,  he  had  license  to  crenellate  and  fortify  his  mansion  of  Cowling,  the 
reconstruction  of  which  he  had  commenced,  and  was  in  progress.  In  1383.  he 
was  sent  to  treat  with  the  Count  of  Flanders,  long  at  war  with  his  subjects ; 
and  subsequently  with  the  Duke  of  Lancaster  and  others,  to  conclude  a peace 
or  truce  with  France.  In  1386,  he  was  appointed  with  others  by  Parliament  to 
examine  into  the  state  of  the  King’s  (Richard’s)  court,  revenues,  grants,  etc.  ; and 
made  one  of  the  King’s  great  and  continual  Council  for  one  year.  This  Council, 
which  restrained  the  King’s  power  was  afterward  to  feel  his  full  resentment. 

The  outcry  against  the  King’s  rule  made  itself  heard  early  in  1388,  in  the 
memorable  impeachment  by  the  Commons  of  Michael  de  la  Pole,  Duke  of 
Suffolk,  the  Chancellor,  and  others.  Among  the  names  of  the  Lords  Apellant, 
we  find  that  of  John  de  Cobham.  On  the  day  fixed  for  the  meeting  of  these 
Commissioners,  an  armed  ambuscade  was  placed  at  the  Mews  under  the 
command  of  Sir  Nicholas  Brembre,  the  Lord  Mayor,  to  way-lay  them  on 
their  route  to  Westminster.  Being  duly  warned  they  avoided  the  snare,  and 
then  demanded  a safe  conduct  under  the  King’s  own  hand.  On  the  day 
appointed  the  Barons  came  well  attended,  and  the  records  of  Parliament 
contain  no  more  exciting  scene.  The  Lords  Appellant  brought  a long  list 
of  charges  against  the  accused,  none  of  whom  appeared,  and  in  the  presence 
of  the  King,  flung  down  their  gages  on  the  floor  of  the  house,  ready  to 
make  them  good  by  battle.  In  the  meantime  Sir  Robert  Tresillian,  the 
Judge,  one  of  the  accused,  was  taken  in  disguise  within  the  precincts  of  the 
Abbey,  and  produced  before  the  Lords.  With  great  spirit  he  offered  to  defend 
himself  by  wager  of  battle,  but  this  was  disallowed.  Judgment  was  recorded 
against  him,  and  lie  was  subsequently  drawn  on  a hurdle  to  Tyburn,  and  there 
executed.  Subsequently  the  same  fate  befel  Sir  Nicholas  Brembre 

In  1389,  he  sat  as  a member  of  the  Court  of  Chivalry,  in  the  celebrated 
case  between  Scrope  and  Grosvenor,+  and  on  another  in  1392,  in  the  dispute 
between  Morley  and  Lovel,  and  engaged  in  sundry  other  public  official  acts, 
and  useful  services  near  his  home.  He  then  lost  his  wife,  Margaret  Courtenay, 
and  probably  anticipating  his  dying  without  a direct  heir,  executed  an  elabo- 
rate deed  of  entail,  which  included  several  members  of  the  family. 


* From  which  we  largely  quote  both  here  and  elsewhere  in  this  Paper , and 
desire  to  render  all  acknowledgments  and  thanks. 

f The  venerable  old  Sir  John  Sully,  K.G.,  before  alluded  to,  gave  evidence 
in  this  case,  on  2nd  July,  1386,  the  Commissioner,  John  Kentwode,  proceeded 
to  Tddesleigh,  in  Devon,  and  in  the  church  there  took  the  old  knight’s,  and  his 
esquire,  Richard  Baker’s  evidence  on  oath . He  must  have  been  then  106  years  old. 


JOHN  DE  COBHAM,  FOUNDER  OF  COBHAM  COLLEGE. 


COBHAM  CHURCH,  KENT. 


tent  flttp  mo  urn  f u_  lot' an  or  cfoMaw 


MARGARET  COURTENAY,  WIFE  OF  JOHN  DE  COBHAM. 


COBHAM  CHURCH. 


The  Brook  Family. 


29 


It  was  only  just  in  time.  A Parliament  had  been  assembled  in  which 
the  King  had,  by  special  writs  to  the  Sheriffs,  tampered  directly  with  the 
elections,  and  thus  gained  a party  directly  in  his  interest.  Immediate  steps 
were  taken  against  those  who  had  acted  upon  the  Commission  of  1387-8,  and 
Lord  Cobham  fleeing  to  the  Monastery  of  the  Carthusians  in  London,  renounced 
the  world.  That  did  not  protect  him,  for  he  was  drawn  from  this  seclusion, 
and  with  Sir  John  Cheney,  committed  to  the  Tower.  He  was  then  brought 
before  the  Parliament,  which  had  already  condemned  the  Earls  of  Warwick 
and  Arundel,  the  former  having  been  banished  and  the  latter  executed,  even  in 
contempt  of  accorded  pardon. 

The  proceedings,  as  recorded  in  the  Rolls  of  Parliament,  are  interesting, 
as  they  certainly  justify  what  the  historians  of  the  time  had  said,  respecting 
Cobham’s  simplicity  and  good  faith.  When  called  in  question  by  the  King, 
concerning  the  Commission  of  1388,  he  replied  4 that  touching  the  making  of 
the  Commission  he  was  not  culpable,  and  touching  the  use  and  exercise  of  the 
same  Commission,  he  would  not  have  used  it,  nor  meddled  with  it,  but  with 
the  command  of  the  King.  ’ To  which  the  King  replied,  4 that  he  was  under 
such  governance  at  that  time,  that  he  could  not  otherwise  say  by  reason  of 
those  that  were  around  him.’ 

Lord  Cobham  was  adjudged  guilty  and  condemned  to  be  hanged,  drawn, 
and  quartered.  All  his  estates  were  confiscated.  But,  for  mere  shame,  an 
historian  has  said,  the  King  commuted  this  sentence  on  the  venerable  noble 
into  banishment  for  life  to  Jersey,  with  the  proviso,  that  if  he  escaped,  the 
sentence  should  have  full  effect.  In  this  sentence  there  was  a saving  of  entail, 
which  is  worthy  of  note,  as  showing  the  jealousy  of  Parliament  over  estates 
that  might  otherwise  pass  into  the  hands  of  the  Crown.  Not  long  afterwards, 
this  sentence  was  made  an  article  of  accusation  against  the  King  himself. 

Two  Lords  Cobham  were  in  exile  at  the  same  time,  for  Sir  Reginald,  second 
Baron  Cobham  of  Sterborough,  was  included  in  the  condemnation.  The  numerous 
and  powerful  families  connected  with  them,  the  Arundels,  Staffords,  Beau- 
champs, and  others,  each  had  their  special  wrongs  against  the  King.  Henry, 
of  Bolingbroke,  was  urged  by  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  himself  an  exile, 
to  return.  Starting  from  Vannes,  in  Brittany,  and  coasting  along  the  shores  of 
England,  he  eventually  landed  at  Ravenspurn,  and  among  the  few  knights  in 
his  train  was  Sir  Reginald  Cobham.  The  event  is  known  as  one  of  great 
moment  in  our  history.  The  exiled  nobles  returned,  and  Parliament  called 
King  Richard  to  account  for  the  sentences  passed  on  Lord  Cobham,  and  others 
the  Lords  Appellant.  A solemn  surrender  of  the  Crown  took  place  in  Parlia- 
ment, which  decreed  that  the  deposed  monarch  should  be  placed  in  safe  keeping, 
and  on  the  record  appears  the  name  of  Lord  Cobham.  A few  years  later,  he 
signed  the  entail  of  the  Crown  upon  the  four  sons  of  Henry  IV,  and  this  was 
the  last  of  his  public  acts. 

His  whole  life  was  an  unbroken  succession  of  services  rendered  the  State, 
at  one  of  the  most  critical  periods  of  English  history,  when  the  power  of  Parlia- 
ment was  rapidly  developing,  and  the  Commons  shewed  themselves  to  be 
growing  in  strength.  There  was  no  matter  of  public  importance  either  at  home 
or  abroad,  in  which  his  advice  as  a councillor  or  as  a diplomatist,  was  not 
sought  or  given.  It  is  evident,  even  from  the  scanty  information  contained  in 
our  records,  that  John  de  Cobham,  the  4 Founder,’  must  be  placed  among  the 
most  eminent  statesmen  of  his  time. 

He  died  10th  January,  1407-8,  and  must  have  reached  a very  advanced 
age,  for  at  least  seventy-four  years  had  elapsed  since  his  marriage  contract, 
allowing  for  extreme  youth  at  that  time,  he  could  scarcely  have  been  less  than 
ninety-two.” 

Lady  Margaret  Cobham  died  on  the  2nd  of  August,  1385, 
and  was  buried  in  the  chancel  of  Cobham  church,  where  there 
is  a fine  brass  to  her  memory,  with  this  inscription  : 


30 


Papers , Sfc. 


“ Sy  gist  cla.me  Margarete  de  Cobeham  jadys  Jillc  a noble  Sr  le 
Canute  de  Deuenschir  feme  le  sire  de  Cobeham  foundour  de 
ceste  place  qe  morust  le  secounde  jor  dil  mays  Dagust  lan 
de  grace  Ml  CC CL XXXV  lalme  de  qy  deux  eyt  mercy. 
AmenP 

The  arms  are  Cobham,  and  Cobham  impaling  Courtenay. 

Although  so  far  removed  from  Devon,  she  was  destined  to 
have  her  distinguished  brother,  William  Courtenay,  located 
comparatively  near  her  a few  years  before  her  death,  he 
being  successively  translated  to  the  See  of  London  in  1375, 
and  elevated  to  the  Archbishopric  of  Canterbury,  in  1381. 
Nor  were  her  virtues  and  fine  character  forgotten  in  Devon 
after  her  decease,  for  ten  years  later,  Edmund  Stafford, 
Bishop  of  Exeter  (he  had  been  consecrated  by  her  brother), 
on  the  10th  of  August,  1395  : 

“Ordered  public  prayers  throughout  the  diocese  for  the  deceased  ladies, 
Margaret  Cobham  and  Elizabeth  Luttrell,  sisters  of  the  Primate,  William 
Courtenay,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  describes  them— 

“ Velut  arbor  in  domo  Domini,  fructificam  in  vitae  sanctitate  et  puritate  ac 
morum  et  actuum  virtuosorum  honestate  Domino  studuerunt  pro  viribus  com- 
placere.” 

Which  may  be  rendered  : 

* ‘ Like  a tree  in  the  house  of  the  Lord,  bearing  fruit  in  holiness  and  purity  of 
life,  and  in  dignity  of  conduct,  and  virtuous  deeds,  they  studied  to  please  the 
Lord  with  ( all ) their  might.  ” 

And  the  Bishop  : 

‘ ‘ Further  to  encourage  the  faithful  who  should  assist  at  the  solemn  obser- 
vances of  the  exequies  of  these  distinguished  ladies,  and  pray  for  their  de- 
parted souls,  he  grants  an  indulgence  of  forty  days.” — Oliver. 

Elizabeth,  Lady  Luttrell,  was  the  wife  of  Sir  Andrew 
Luttrell,  of  Chilton,  a.pd  relict  of  Sir  John  de  Yere — she  died 
1395. 

The  fine  brass  to  John  de  Cobham’s  memory  lies  beside  that 
of  his  wife  in  Cobham  church,  he  supports  a church  in  his 
hands,  referable  to  his  being  the  founder  of  the  College.  The 
armour  is  interesting  from  its  diverse  character  being  com- 
posed of  banded  chain-mail  and  plate,  the  covering  of  the 
thighs  and  gauntlets  being  of  cuir  bouilli.  But  it  is  doubtful 
if  he  was  buried  here,  the  brass  being  probably  laid  down 


The  Brook  Family. 


31 


during  his  life-time,  and  the  inscription  exhibits  nothing 
definite  to  confirm  his  interment  beneath  it : 

“ De  terre  fu  fait  et  four  me,  et  en  Terre  et  a Terre  suy  rctournc, 
Johan  de  Cobham  foundeur  de  ceste  place  qi  fu  iadis  nomine 
Mercy  de  malme  eit  la  seinte  Trinite.” 

That  is— 

“ Of  earth  was  I made  and  formed , and  into  earth  and  to  the 
earth  am  I returned , who  was  formerly  named  Johan  de 
Cobham , Founder  of  this  place.  May  the  Holy  Trinity 
have  mercy  on  my  soul.” 

There  is  the  record  of  a monument  once  existing  in  the 
Church  of  the  Grey  Friars,  in  London,  to  a John  de  Cobham, 
Baron  of  Kent,  “ in  a tomb  raised  up  at  the  end  of  that  altar 
by  the  door  under  the  cross  (transept)  lies  John  de  Cobham, 
Baron  of  the  County  of  Kent,”  and  it  is  difficult  to  see  to 
whom  this  can  refer  if  not  to  this  John  de  Cobham.  Stow,  in 
his  account  of  this  magnificent  structure,  gives  a graphic  des- 
cription of  the  array  of  tombs  then  within  it,  aud  a long  list 
of  the  influential  persons  buried  beneath  them.  Among  them 
he  mentions  “John  Cobham,  Baron  of  Kent,”  as  being  in- 
terred “ between  the  choir  and  the  altar,”  and  notes  that  “ in 
the  choir,”  lay  the  Tyburn-executed  Cornishman,  “Sir  Robert 
Tresilian,  Knight- Justice,”  and  his  unfortunate  companion, 
“ Sir  Nicholas  Brembre,  Mayor  of  London,  buried  1386  — 
previously  referred  to — of  whom  he  adds,  “he  was  Mayor  in 
1384  and  1385,  was  Knighted  with  Sir  William  Walworth 
in  1384  ; and  in  1387,  as  late  Mayor  of  London,  was  this 
year  beheaded.” 

In  addition  to  his  being  the  founder  of  the  College,  he  also 
erected  the  original  seat  of  the  Cobhams,  Cowling  Castle, 
near  Rochester,  early  in  the  reign  of  Richard  II.  By  his  wife, 
Margaret  Courtenay,  he  left  one  daughter  only,  Johanna , 
married  to  John  de  la  Pole,  of  Chrishall,  in  Essex.  He  was 
named  as  one  of  the  Surveyors  of  his  wife’s  mother,  the  Coun- 
tess of  Devon’s  will. 


32 


Papers , iSfc. 

De  la  pole  = Cobbam, 

OF  CHRISHALL,  ESSEX. 

John  de  la  Pole,  who  married  Joan  Cobham,  only  daughter 
of  John  de  Cobham  and  Margaret  Courtenay,  was  the  son  of 
William  de  la  Pole,  who  was  the  son  of  Richard  de  la  Pole, 
to  whom  Edward  III,  in  1338,  gave  “for  his  extraordinary 
merits,”  a thousand  pounds  sterling  out  of  the  Exchequer.  He 
was  the  second  son  of  the  noted  Sir  William  de  la  Pole,  the 
great  merchant  of  Kingston-upon-Hull,  whose  descendants 
occupy  a distinguished  place  in  English  history,  a gallant  and 
highly  gifted  race,  who,  after  attaining  by  merit  and  alliance, 
the  highest  position  and  honours,  were — similar  to  the  Cob- 
hams — summarily  extinguished  by  Henry  VIII,  by  the  de- 
capitation of  Edmund  de  la  Pole,  the  second  duke  of  Sutfolk, 
on  Tower  Hill,  30th  April,  1513 — the  offence  being  his  descent 
from  the  House  of  York,  his  mother  having  been,  unfortunately 
for  him,  the  Lady  Elizabeth  Plantagenet,  sister  to  Edward  IY 
and  Richard  III. 

William  de  la  Pole,  the  father  of  John,  married  Margaret 
Peverel.  She  was  the  sister  and  heiress  of  John  Peverel,  of 
Castle- Ashby,  in  Northamptonshire,  after  whose  death  he  held 
Castle- Ashby  and  Milton,  in  right  of  his  wife.  She  was 
living  in  1358,  and  he  in  1362. 

John  Peverel,  who  was  aged  nineteen,  at  Easter,  1349.  died 
without  issue,  in  November  of  the  same  year.  He  had  mar- 
ried Isabella  Basset,  and  was  the  first  of  this  lady’-  six 
husbands.  The  birth  and  career  of  this  lady  was  a remarkable 
one.  According  to  Burke,  she  was  the  daughter  of  Ralph, 
the  third  Lord  Basset,  of  Drayton,  ob.  1343 — but  “it  is  doubt- 
ful if  this  lady  was  legitimate  or  not.”  At  the  death  of  her 
presumed  brother,  Ralph,  fourth  and  last  Lord  Basset,  in  1390, 
s.p. 

“ He  devised  his  estates  according  to  some  authorities,  to  Sir  Hugh  Shirley, 
his  nephew,  son  of  his  sister,  Isabel,  upon  condition  he  should  assume  the 
surname  and  arms  of  Bassett,  in  failure  of  which,  those  estates  were  to  pass  to 


JOHN  DE  LA  POLE  AND  JOAN  DE  COBHAM,  HIS  WIFE 


CURISHAI.L  CHURCH,  ESSEX 


p;  tarerjaljauna  Baa  Dreolip  quonMMitffpaliti  $ragtoiok  nultf&jjiflrtiiit 
■ in  Iiif 2&nrtiplla$  f Jii^inno  Mi  ^illlno.  » j 


JOHANNA  DE  LA  POLE,  LADY  OF  COBHAM. 


COBHAM  CHURCH. 


The  Brook  Family. 


33 


Edmund  Lord  Stafford.  It  is  certain,  however,  great  disputes  arose  after  his 
decease,  but  it  does  not  appear  the  Shirleys  were  engaged  in  it,  nor  did  they 
take  the  name  of  Bassett.” 

Her  second  husband  was  Robert  de  Bradeston,  who  was 
living  1350-1.  The  third,  Robert  Rigge,  living  1357-8.  The 
fourth,  Sir  Thomas  Shirley,  who  died  before  1362.  By  him 
she  appears  to  be  ancestress  to  Shirley,  Earl  Ferrers.  The 
fifth,  Sir  John  de  Wodhull,  who  died  1367-8. 

Her  sixth  and  last  match  is  an  interesting  one  as  connected 
with  our  little  history.  She  married,  as  his  second  wife,  Sir 
Gerard  Braybroke  (fourth  of  that  name,  ob.  1403),  the  father 
of  Sir  Reginald  Braybroke,  the  second  husband  of  Joan  de  la 
Pole,  who  was  the  grand-daughter  of  her  first  husband’s  sister, 
Margaret  Peverel.* 

John  de  la  Pole  and  his  wife,  Joan  Cobham,  were  buried  in 
the  church  of  Chrishall,  a parish  in  north-west  Essex ; and  of 
their  relationship  there  we  learn  : 

“The  manor  of  Chrishall  was  held  under  Lord  Stafford  by  William  and 
Margaret  de  la  Pole  in  1351-58,  and  in  1399  by  the  heirs  of  John  de  la  Pole, 
from  whom  it  passed  to  his  descendants  the  Brookes.  The  exact  year  of  Sir 
John’s  death  has  not  been  ascertained  ; his  lady  died  before  her  father,  Lord 
Cobham,  and  that  barony  descended  to  their  only  daughter,  Joan,  and  they 
were  both  dead  in  1389,  as  Lord  Cobham  had  East  Tilbury  appropriated  to  his 
College  at  Cobham  in  that  year,  to  maintain  two  chaplains  to  sing  for  their 
souls.  The  time  of  their  deaths,  however,  would  probably  not  affect  the  date 
of  the  brass,  as  there  is  good  reason  to  suppose  that  it  was  put  down  in  their 
lifetime,  and  perhaps  soon  after  their  marriage.  Their  daughter  Joan  was 
born  in  1377,  and  the  costume  of  the  figures,  and  the  style  of  the  brass  is  such 
as  to  make  it  almost  a certainty  that  it  was  executed  about  the  year  1375,  at 
which  time  it  is  probable  they  also  rebuilt  the  church,  as  their  arms  remain  on 
the  south  door,  and  many  parts  of  the  building  are  of  late  Decorated  or  Transition 
character.” — Archaeological  Journal,  vol.  iv,  p.  338,  by  Mr.  C.  J.  Manning. 

At  this  time,  1847,  the  brass  lay  in  the  nave,  partly  hidden 
by  the  seats  ; the  canopy  mutilated,  and  the  supporting  shafts 
gone.  Of  the  marginal  inscription,  only  the  words  “ sa  femme 
priez  ” ( his  wife , pray  ye)  remained,  and  but  one  shield,  that 
between  the  heads  of  the  figures,  Pole  impaling  Cobham,  is 
noted. 

The  brass  now  lies  in  the  pavement  of  the  west  end  of  the 
south  aisle.  It  has  been  almost  completely  restored,  inclusive 
of  two  shields  bearing  respectively  Pole  and  Cobham  over  the 

* Miscellanea  Genealogica  et  Heraldica,  vol.  ii,  New  Series,  1874,  p.  61,  by 
Mr.  E.  W.  Brabrook. 


Vol.  XLIV  (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


e 


34 


Papers , 8fc. 


canopy.  Nothing  has  been  added  to  the  three  words  re- 
maining of  the  original  inscription. 

The  costume  of  the  figures  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the 
lady’s  father  and  mother  at  Cobham — the  knight  shews  the 
gradual  change  to  plate  armour — and  the  close-buttoned  bodice 
and  long  dependant  lappets  of  the  lady’s  sleeves  are  note- 
worthy. The  joined  hands  is  not  an  unusual  attitude  found 
on  brasses  of  that  era. 

If  they  did  not  wholly  rebuild  the  church,  as  has  been  sur- 
mised, it  is  probable  they  added  the  south  aisle,  which  was 
apparently  a chantry  chapel.  At  its  east  end  in  the  south 
wall,  under  the  first  window,  and  in  the  usual  situation  of 
founders’  tombs  near  the  altar,  is  a recessed  tomb,  with  low 
canopied  arch,  having  sculptured  leaf-ornament  running  round 
its  edge.  Within  it  is  the  recumbent  figure  of  a lady,  in 
costume  almost  exactly  similar  to  the  lady  in  the  brass.  There 
is  no  inscription,  nor  is  it  known  who  it  commemorates.  If  a 
surmise  may  be  hazarded,  it  may  represent  Margaret  de  la 
Pole  (Peverel),  the  mother  of  John  of  the  brass  ; as  herself 
and  husband  held  the  manor  of  Chrishall  before  their  son 
J ohn.  On  each  side  of  the  doorway  of  the  porch  leading  into 
this  aisle  is  a shield,  with  sculptured  bearings— that  on  the 
dexter  side,  although  considerably  denuded,  was  evidently 
charged  with  the  parent  coat  of  De  la  Pole — ( Argent ) a fess 
between  three  leopards'  heads  (or).  The  other,  in  better  preser- 
vation, De  la  Pole  of  Chrishall  (Azure)  two  bars  nebulee  (or). 

According  to  Morant,  the  manor  of  Chrisall-Bury  was  held 
by  Ralph,  Lord  Stafford,  ob.  1372,  and  his  heirs;  Thomas, 
Lord  Stafford  held  it  in  1392,  as  three  parts  of  a fee,  and  the 
heirs  of  John  de  la  Pole  under  him,  and  afterward  Sir  John 
Harpenden  (fifth  husband  of  Joan  de  la  Pole)  held  it. 

Joan  de  Cobham  was  married  to  John  de  la  Pole  in  1362, 
and  both  were  dead  before  1389  ; thus  predeceasing  her  father 
who  died  in  1407-8,  and  leaving  one  daughter  Joan,  who  at 
her  grandfather’s  death  became  Lady  of  Cobham. 


The  Brook  Family. 


35 


3[oan  lie  la  Pole, 

LADY  OF  COBHAM,  IN  KENT. 

Joan  de  la  Pole  became  Lady  of  Cobham  at  her  grand- 
father’s death,  on  10th  January,  1407-8  ; at  the  date  of  which 
event  she  had  been  widow  to  two  husbands,  and  was  married 
to  a third. 

Doubtless  as  a great  heiress  in  prospective,  as  also  of  the 
barony  of  Cobham,  her  hand  was  eagerly  sought  for,  and  she 
was  of  youthful  age  when  married  to  her  first  husband,  Sir 
Robert  Hemendale,  and  after  his  death  in  1391,  she  was  suc- 
cessively wedded  to  Sir  Reginald  Braybroke,  Sir  Nicholas 
Hawberk,  Sir  John  Oldcastle,  and  Sir  John  Harpenden, 
notices  of  whom  will  follow. 

As  shewn  on  her  brass  she  appears  to  have  had  ten  children 
by  her  several  husbands,  six  sons  and  four  daughters,  but  a 
portion  of  them,  six  only,  have  been  assigned  to  their  fathers. 
A son,  William , to  Sir  Robert  Hemendale  ; two  sons,  Reginald 
and  Robert , and  a daughter,  Joan,  to  Sir  Reginald  Braybroke ; 
a son,  John , to  Sir  Nicholas  Hawberk ; and  a daughter,  Joan, 
to  Sir  J ohn  Oldcastle. 

Little  further  is  known  of  her.  She  died  in  1433,  and  was 
buried  in  the  chancel  of  the  church  of  St.  Mary  Magdalen, 
Cobham,  with  her  ancestors  and  two  of  her  husbands,  and 
where  there  is  her  brass  effigy.  She  is  habited  in  gown  with 
robe  over  and  long  dependant  coverchief  to  the  shoulders.  A 
little  dog  with  collar  and  bells  sits  at  her  feet.  At  her  right 
are  six  sons,  and  at  her  left  four  daughters.  Over  her  head  a 
scroll,  “ JKu  WLcy,  Lady  help,”  and  two  other  scrolls,  one  on 
each  side,  “ Jhu  -mercy .”  Below  this  inscription — 

“ Hie  jacet  Johanna  d'na  de  Coblim  quonda ’ ux  Jni  Reginaldi 
Braybrook  militis  que  obiit  in  die  Sancti  Hillary  Ep'i  Anno 
J’ni  Millmo  CCCCO  XXXIIJO  Cuius  aie  p'picie f 
deus . Amen.” 

Arms — six  shields — 1,  Cobham  ; 2,  Cobham  impaling  Cour- 


36 


Papers , Sfc. 


tenay  ; 3,  A fess  between  six  cross-crosslets  (Peverel,  of 
Castle- Ashby),  and  De  la  Pole,  quarterly,  impaling  Cobham  ; 
4,  Quarterly,  Cobham  and  De  la  Pole  ; 5,  Braybroke,  impaling 
Cobham  ; 6,  Brook,  impaling  Cobham. 

Her  death  would  have  occurred  on  the  13th  January,  1433-4. 
Her  only  surviving  child,  Joan,  by  Sir  Reginald  Braybroke,  it 
was  who  became  Lady  of  Cobham,  and  married  Sir  Thomas 
Brook,  the  younger,  of  Olditch  and  Weycroft. 


OemenDale  = De  la  Pole. 

The  first  of  the  five  husbands  of  Joan  de  la  Pole,  Lady  of 
Cobham,  was  Sir  Robert  Hemendale,  or  Hemenhale,  of  a 
knightly  family  in  Norfolk,  both  of  them  being  very  young  at 
the  time  of  the  marriage.  She  had  one  son  by  him  named 
William , who  died  in  infancy.  His  death  occurred  in  1391, 
and  he  was  buried  in  Westminster  Abbey. 

Morant  says  “ Sir  Ralph  Hemenhale  held  the  manor  of  Rad- 
winter  Hall,  in  Essex,  and  advowson  of  the  church,  afterward 
by  Sir  Robert,  and  subsequently  by  the  family  of  Cobham.” 

The  arms  of  Hemenhale,  of  Norfolk,  are  given  as  Argent , 
on  a fess  between  two  chevrons  gules , three  escallops  or. 


IBrap&rofee  = De  la  Pole. 

The  second  husband  of  Joan  de  la  Pole,  Lady  of  Cobham, 
was  Sir  Reginald  Braybroke,  the  second  son  of  Sir  Gerard 
Braybroke,  knt.,  third  of  that  name,  ob.  1403,  by  his  first 
wife,  Margaret,  daughter  and  heiress  of  J ohn  de  Lunge  vile,  and 
widow  of  Sir  Peter  Saltmershe.  Secondly  his  father  married 
Isabella  Bassett,  being  the  last  of  her  six  husbands,  already 
referred  to.  She  died  in  1393. 

Sir  Reginald  died  20th  September,  1405,  at  Middleburg,  on 
the  Scheldt,  in  Flanders.  He  appears  to  have  had  three 


SIR  REGINALD  BRAYBROKE. 


COBHAM  CHURCH. 


\m  ,jq  mn  ^qjuci  iiuinos  m m wnofc  4un  mam?  jg.  $mn(p  grogEM  npiaff 


W ectotms  anno  nommi  nuittio  • &natmngflMtno  • f eptimo . turns'  ammf  jjomaemr  am  aumi  ♦ 


SIR  NICHOLAS  HAWBERK. 


COBIIAM  CHUKCH. 


The  Brook  Family. 


37 


children  by  his  wife,  the  Lady  Joan  : Reginald  and  Robert , 
sons,  who  predeceased  him,  and  a daughter,  Johanna, , who,  of 
all  her  mother’s  five  unions  and  ten  children,  was  finally  the 
onty  surviving  child,  and  who  married  Sir  Thomas  Brook. 

Sir  Reginald  is  commemorated  by  one  of  the  splendid  brasses 
in  the  chancel  of  Cobham  church.  He  wears  the  chain  and 
plate  armour  of  the  period,  and  his  two  deceased  sons  stand  on 
pedestals,  one  on  each  side. 

The  inscription  reads— 

“ Hie  iacet  d'n's  Reginaldus  Braybrok  Miles  filius  Gerardi  Bray- 
brok  Militis  ac  maritus  d'ne  Johanne  dCne  de  Cobfi  m heredis 
dni  de  Coblim  fundatoris  istius  Collegii , qui  quidem  Regi- 
naldus obiit  apud  My ddelburgh  in  Flandrea  vicesirno  die 
mensis  Septembris  Anno  domini  MilVmo  Quadring entesimo 
Quinto  Cuius  anime  propicietur  deus.  Amen , AMEN .” 

The  inscriptions  on  his  sons’  pedestals  record — 

Hie  jacet  Reginald ’ fill  eor. 

Hie  jaeet  Robert'  fill  eor  . 

The  arms  are,  1,  Seven  mascles  voided , three , three , and  one 
(Braybroke)  and  Braybroke  impaling  Cobham. 


MIDDELBURG,  ON  THE  SCHELDT,  HOLLAND. 


38 


Papers , Sfc. 


The  Braybrokes  were  ecclesiastically  connected  with  Devon. 
Nicholas  Braybroke,  presumably  uncle  to  Sir  Reginald,  was 
Vicar  of  Bideford,  and  he  exchanged  with  his  brother  Robert 
for  the  Archdeaconry  of  Cornwall,  in  1381.  He  was  Canon 
and  Prebendary  of  Exeter,  Bosham,  and  Crantock  ; also  Canon 
of  St.  Paul’s,  London.  He  died  about  1399-1400.  He  was 
also  librarian  to  Bishop  Bitton,  1291-1307,  mentioned  as  such 
at  the  beginning  of  Bishop  Bronscombe’s  Register. 

Robert  Braybroke  was  instituted  Vicar  of  Bideford,  26th 
July,  1381.  The  patron  was  John  Grenville  (son  and  heir  of 
Sir  Theobald  Grenville,  deceased),  who  was  married  to  Mar- 
garet, daughter  of  Ismania  Hanham  (elder  sister  of  Dame 
Johanna  Brook),  by  her  second  husband,  Sir  John  Burghersh. 

These  brothers,  says  Dr.  Oliver,  “ were  of  a noble  family  in 
the  county  of  Northampton,  founders  of  our  Lady’s  Chantry, 
in  the  episcopal  palace  of  London,  adjoining  the  nave  of  St. 
Paul’s  Cathedral.  He  (Robert)  became  Bishop  of  London, 
oth  January,  1382,  died  27th  August,  1404.”  They  were 
named  as  executors  and  administrators  to  the  will  of  Bishop 
Grandison,  of  Exeter. 


= De  la  Pole. 

The  third  husband  of  Joan  de  la  Pole,  Lady  of  Cobham,  was 
Sir  Nicholas  Hawberk.  His  marriage  life  was  of  short  dura- 
tion— about  two  years — as  Sir  Reginald  Braybroke  died  20th 
September,  1405,  and  Sir  Nicholas  on  9th  October,  1407. 
One  son,  John,  appears  to  have  been  born  and  predeceased 
him.  Sir  Nicholas  died  at  Cowling  Castle,  the  other  and  older 
residence  of  the  Cobhams,  a few  miles  distant,  near  Rochester. 

On  19th  December,  1396,  in  succession  to  Sir  John  Golofre, 
deceased,  he  was  appointed  Constable  of  Flint  Castle,  Sheriff 
and  Raglor,  or  Steward  of  Flintshire,  and  Mayor  of  Flint 
borough : offices  he  held  until  his  death,  having  been  re- 
appointed by  Henry  IV,  on  his  accession  to  the  throne ; and 


The  Brook  Family. 


39 


was  holding  them  when  that  monarch  made  Richard  II  a 
prisoner  in  Flint  Castle.  Sir  Nicholas  maintained  four  men- 
at-arms  and  twelve  archers  within  the  fortress,  at  the  then 
considerable  annual  expense  of  £146.  Subsequently  he  was 
one  of  the  six  knights  forming  the  train  of  Queen  Isabella, 
widow  of  Richard  II,  on  her  return  to  France  in  1401.  He 
was  also  in  the  escort  of  Henry  IY  when  he  visited  Cologne 
in  1402,  to  attend  Blanche  his  eldest  daughter’s  marriage  with 
Louis,  Count  Palatine  of  the  Rhine,  Duke  of  Bavaria. 

In  the  jousting  at  Smithfield  in  1393,  Stow  records  that — 

“Sir  William  Darell,  knt.,  the  King’s  banner-bearer  of  Scotland,  challenged 
Sir  Pierce  (Peter)  Courtenay,  the  King’s  banner-bearer  of  England,  and  when 
they  had  run  certain  courses,  gave  over  without  conclusion  of  victory.  Then 
Cookebourne,  esquire,  of  Scotland,  challenged  Sir  Nicholas  Hawberke,  knt., 
and  rode  five  courses,  but  Cookebourne  was  borne  over,  horse  and  man.” 

He  was  twice  married  : his  first  wife’s  name  was  Matilda, 
and  she  was  living  1 Henry  IY  (1399-1400),  but  nothing  is 
known  of  her  parentage.  By  deed  dated  three  days  before 
his  death,  he  left  all  his  goods  and  chattels  (except  one  hundred 
shillings  in  silver,  which  he  reserved  to  Sir  Hugh  Luttrell 
and  others)  in  trust  for  his  wife,  which  was  duly  confirmed  the 
same  year.  Nothing  is  known  of  his  parentage  : there  is  no 
family  of  the  name,  and  he  was  probably  “a  soldier  of  fortune.” 

His  memorial  in  Cobham  Church  is  considered  one  of  the 
finest  military  brasses  in  existence.  The  inscription  records — 
“ Hie  jacet  (Tns  Nicholaus  Hawherk  miles  quondam  maritus  d'ne 
Joline  d'ne  de  Cobtim  heredis  d'ni  Jolt  is  de  CobJi  m fun- 
datoris  istius  Collegii  qui  quidem  Nicholaus  obiit  Castru  de 
Cowling  nono  die  Octobris,  Anno  domini  MiVmo  quadringen- 
tesimo  septimo.  Cuius  anime  propicietur  deus.  Amen” 

Under  his  son — 

“ Hie  jacet  John's  Jill  eor . 

The  arms  are  of  an  unusual  and  remarkable  blazon — Cheeky , 
argent  and  gules , a chief  champourne  gules  and  or.  His  arms 
in  both  shields  in  the  brass  had  been  wilfully  defaced  as  if  by 
heralds  in  the  officious  exercise  of  their  craft.  Hawberk  by 
them  was  evidently  not  considered  entitled  to  bear  arms. 


40 


Papers , Sfc. 


©IDcastle  = De  la  l£>ole. 

The  fourth  husband  of  Joan  de  la  Pole,  Lady  of  Cobham, 
was  Sir  J ohn  Oldcastle.  He  was  the  son  of  Sir  Richard  Old- 
castle,  a family  in  Herefordshire,  where  there  is  a village  so 
named,  but  it  is  presumed  that  Almeby  Castle  in  that  county 
which  belonged  to  the  Oldcastles  gave  the  surname.  The 
name  of  his  mother  is  not  known,  but  he  was  born  about  1360, 
and  Sheriff  of  Herefordshire,  7 Henry  IY  (1405-6).  He  was 
thrice  married  : his  first  wife  was  named  Katherine,  but  of 
what  family  is  not  known,  of  his  second  nothing  at  all,  except 
that  she  bore  him  four  children — a son,  Henry,  who  is  alluded 
to  in  Pat.,  7 Henry  VI  (1429),  wherein  he  is  styled  “Henry 
Oldcastle , son  and  heir  of  John  Lord  Cobham ,”  and  three 
daughters,  Katherine,  Joan,  and  Maud. 

His  marriage  with  the  Lady  of  Cobham  must  have  taken 
place  before  26th  October,  1409,  when  he  was  summoned  as  a 
Baron  to  Parliament  as  Lord  Oldcastell,  by  writ  directed  to 
“ Johanni  Oldcastell  CKVrf  to  22nd  March,  1413-4. 

The  life  of  Sir  John  Oldcastle,  so  well  known  as  “the 
Lollard  Martyr,”  and  “ the  good  Lord  Cobham,”  his  conscien- 
tious conviction,  dauntless  courage,  bitter  persecution  and 
cruel  death,  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  strongly  contested 
episodes  of  English  history,  and  it  would  be  altogether  beyond 
the  province  or  limit  of  this  paper,  to  give  anything  like  an 
outline  of  it,  even  of  ascertained  facts.  Suffice  it  to  say,  after 
great  vicissitudes,  he  was  brought  for  trial  before  his  clerical 
accusers,  before  whom  he  made  what  has  been  termed  a clear, 
manly,  courageous,  enlightened  defence,  but  as  a matter  of 
course  was  condemned  by  the  Church  as  a heretic,  leaving 
him  to  the  civil  power  for  judgment.  Committed  to  the  Tower, 
he  from  thence  contrived  to  escape  into  Wales,  where  he  hid 
himself,  and  for  four  years  remained  in  comparative  safety. 
Unfortunately  a rising  of  the  Lollards  took  place  in  London, 
under  Sir  Roger  Acton,  in  St.  Giles’  Fields,  which  was  sup- 


. . . . CLITHEROW,  DAUGHTER  OF  SIR  JOHN  OLDCASTLE. 


ASH  CHL’BCH,  KENT. 


SIR  JOHN  HARPENDEN. 


The  Brook\ Family . 


41. 


pressed  by  the  King’s  forces.  Naturally — although  there  was 
no  proof  of  such — Sir  John  Oldcastle’s  name  and  influence 
was  associated  with  it : a proclamation  and  reward  of  a 
thousand  marks  was  offered  for  his  capture,  dead  or  alive,  and 
shortly  after  at  Bromiarth,  in  Montgomeryshire,  four  tenants 
of  Edward  Charletoun,  Earl  of  Powis,  discovered  and  arrested 
him,  after  some  resistance  in  which  he  was  grievously  wounded, 
and,  continues  Mr.  Waller — 

“ He  was  brought  to  London,  and  produced  before  the  Lords  of  Parliament, 
the  Duke  of  Bedford  presiding,  when  the  former  judgment  for  heresy  was 
recorded  against  him.  On  his  endeavouring  to  defend  himself,  the  Chief 
Justice  told  him  he  could  not  be  allowed  to  waste  the  time  of  the  Lords,  and  he 
was  adjudged  ‘traitor  to  God  and  heretic,5  also  ‘traitor  to  the  King  and  King- 
dom,’ and  sentenced  to  be  drawn  through  the  city  of  London,  as  far  as  the 
‘ novelles  furches,’  in  the  parish  of  St.  Giles,  beyond  the  Bar  of  the  Old  Temple 
of  London,  and  then  be  hung  and  burnt  hanging,  On  Christmas  day,  1417,  this 
terrible  sentence  was  carried  out.  There  was  an  immense  concourse  of  specta- 
tors, at  the  newly  appointed  place  of  execution,  recently  moved  from  the  Elms 
in  Smithtield,  to  the  front  gate  of  St.  Giles’  Hospital,  at  that  time  surrounded 
by  fields,  and  distant  from  London.  Near  the  unfortunate  Oldcastle  stood  old 
Sir  Thomas  Erpingham,  whom  he  is  said  to  have  asked  to  seek  peace  for  his 
sect,  if  he  arose  from  the  dead  in  three  days.  We  must  distrust  the  monkish 
chronicler,  who  has  words  of  insult  for  the  unfortunate  man  in  this  supreme 
hour,  and  there  is  nothing  in  the  authentic  accounts  of  Sir  John  Oldcastle  to 
suggest  that  he  was  a victim  of  fanatical  delusion.” 

Apparently  the  infliction  of  this  dreadful  sentence  was  in- 
tended to  have  a double  significance ; he  was  first  hanged  as 
a traitor  for  his  offence  against  the  civil  power,  and  after- 
ward burnt  as  a heretic  in  accordance  with  his  condemnation 
by  the  ecclesiastical. 

The  married  life  of  the  Lady  of  Cobham  with  Sir  John 
Oldcastle  was  not  to  be  envied,  and  she  could  have  seen  but 
little  of  him  during  its  term  of  about  five  years,  for  in  1413  he 
became  a fugitive  in  hiding,  and  it  is  probable  she  never  saw 
him  afterward  in  the  interval  before  his  death  in  1417.  She 
apparently  had  one  daughter  by  him  named  Joan,  who  died 
young. 

A daughter  of  Sir  J ohn  Oldcastle,  presumably  by  his  second 
wife,  married  Richard  Clitherow,  Esq.,  of  Ash,  near  Sandwich, 
Sheriff  of  the  county  of  Kent,  4 and  5 Henry  IY  (1403-4), 
Admiral  of  the  Seas  from  the  Thames  westward.  They  were 
buried  in  Ash  Church,  where  is  their  memorial,  a large  flat 


Vol.  XLIV  (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


f 


42 


Papers,  8fc. 


stone  under  the  tower,  which  originally  covered  a tomb  in  the 
chancel.  On  it  is  the  indent  of  a fine  brass  of  a man  and  his 
wife  under  a double  canopy  with  pinnacles,  four  shields  at  the 
top,  and  of  six  children  at  the  bottom,  the  border  inscription 
is  also  gone.  Of  this  once  very  handsome  brass,  only  the 
upper  half  of  the  lady  and  part  of  the  canopy  over  her,  remains. 

She  appears  on  the  right-hand  side  of  her  husband,  as  a 
widow  clad  in  gown  with  mantle  or  cloak  over,  barbe  under 
the  chin,  and  cover-chief  falling  to  the  shoulders.  Weever 
gives  this  portion  of  the  inscription  as  remaining  in  his  time  : 

“ Hie  jacet Clitherow  Ar : §" uxor  ejus , Jilia 

Johannis  Oldcastell , qui  obiit  . . .” 

The  shields  from  recorded  evidence  appear  to  have  been 
charged,  1,  Within  a bordure  engrailed , three  covered  cups 
(Clitherow)  impaling,  a Castle  triple-towered (Oldcastle)  ; 
2,  Clitherow  alone  ; 3,  Oldcastle,  quartering , party  per  pale , a 
double-headed  eagle  displayed.  And  this  appears  to  be  the  only 
surviving  memorial  relating  to  Sir  John  Oldcastle  or  his 
family. 

With  regard  to  the  arms  of  Sir  John  Oldcastle,  in  an  in- 
denture made  between  him  and  his  wife  Johanna  of  the  one 
part,  and  Sir  Thomas  Brook  on  the  other  (query  of  the  mar- 
riage of  Johanna  Braybroke  and  Thomas  Brook,  elsewhere 
referred  to)  the  seal  exhibits  Quarterly , one  and  four  a 
Castle , two  and  three  Cobh  am,  and  was  circumscribed  with 
66  Sigillum  Johannis  Oldcastle , Uni  de  CobhamP 

His  arms  are  also  found  in  the  roof  of  the  cloisters  of  Can- 
terbury Cathedral,  and  their  blazon  is  given  both  as  Argent , a 
Castle  triple-towered  and  embattled  sable , and  Argent , a tower 
triple-towered  sable , chained , transversed,  the  port , or. 


J£>arpenDcn  = ©e  la  Pole. 

The  fifth  and  last  husband  of  Joan  de  la  Pole,  Lady  of  Cob- 
ham,  was  Sir  John  Harpenden.  The  circumstance  of  the 


The  Brook  Family. 


43 


dreadful  fate  of  her  preceding  husband  does  not  appear  to  have 
deterred  her  from  again  entering  the  matrimonial  state. 

He  was  44  of  a good  knightly  family  in  Hertfordshire,”  and 
a Sir  John  Harpenden — probably  his  father — is  mentioned  by 
Froissart  as  being  of  good  service^in  the  wars  with  France, 
and  Seneschal  of  Bordeaux. 

According  to  Boutell  ( Brasses  and  Slabs , p.  66)  44  he  married 
three  wives,  one  of  whom  was  a daughter  of  Sir  John  Old- 
castle  -evidently  a mistake  for  44  the  widow.”  The  date  of 
his  marriage  with  the  Lady  Joan  is  not  recorded,  but  as  she 
was  born  about  1377,  and  Sir  John  Oldcastle  was  executed  in 
1417,  she  would  have  been  still  comparatively  young,  and 
lived  sixteen  years  afterward,  dying  in  1433,  and  Sir  John 
Harpenden  survived  her  twenty-four  years,  and  died  in  1458. 
There  was  no  issue  of  this  marriage. 

Morant,  in  his  History  of  Essex , speaks  of  Sir  John  Har- 
penden holding  the  manor  of  Chrishall-Bury  in  that  county, 
the  inheritance  that  descended  to  his  wife  as  the  only  daughter 
of  John  de  la  Pole,  and  by  fine  passed  it  to  Thomas  Brook 
(the  younger,  husband  of  his  step-daughter  Joan  Bray  broke) 
and  that  his  descendant,  George  Brook,  Lord  Cobham,  and 
Ann  (Bray),  his  wife,  alienated  it  by  license,  21st  October, 
1544,  to  Thomas  Crawley,  the  manor  consisting  of  near  a 
thousand  acres  of  land,  twenty  messuages,  and  twenty  cottages. 

Sir  John  Harpenden  was  never  summoned  to  Parliament, 
and  does  not  appear  to  have  been  recognised  as  Lord  of 
Cobham. 

Similar  to  her  first  husband  Sir  Robert  Hemendale,  Sir 
John  Harpenden  was  buried  in  Westminster  Abbey.  His 
monument  is  in  the  north  choir  aisle,  and  consists  of  a grey 
marble  stone  on  a low  tomb  whereon  is  inlet  his  brass  effigy, 
habited  in  complete  plate  armour  : his  feet  rest  on  a lion,  his 
head  on  a helmet  with  crest — out  of  a ducal  coronet , a hind's 
head , couped  at  the  shoulders.  There  are  four  shields — 1,  on  a 
mullet , or  estoile  of  six  points , a roundel , thereon  a martlet. 


44 


Papers,  fyc. 


(Harpenden),  impaling,  quarterly , one  and  four,  Mortimer, 
two  and  three,  a plain  cross  (St.  George)  ; 2,  Harpenden, 
impaling,  on  a chevron , three  mullets  or  estoiles  wavy  ; 3,  Har- 
penden impaling  Cobham  : 4,  Harpenden  alone.  The  ledger 
inscription  has  disappeared! 

The  tinctures  of  the  Harpenden  arms  are  given  as  Argent , 
on  a mullet  of  six  points  gules , a bezant , charged  with  a martlet 
sable  ; other  branches  of  the  family  in  Gloucestershire  and 
Oxfordshire,  bore  the  mullet  sable. 

The  armour  and  appointments  of  the  knight  are  almost 
identical  with  those  found  on  the  brass  of  Thomas  Chedder, 
ob.  1442-3,  in  Cheddar  Church. 


Cbetroer, 

OF  BRISTOL  AND  CHEDDAR,  AND  THEIR  DESCENDANTS. 

The  antient  Somersetshire  family  of  Cheddre,  or  de  Cheddre, 
it  may  be  fairly  surmised,  acquired  their  name  from  the  parish 
so-called  in  the  centre  of  that  county,  although  the  earliest 
recorded  mention  of  them  comes  from  the  city  of  Bristol, 
where  it  may  be  inferred  they  migrated,  and  after  fortune  had 
favoured  them  to  become  opulent  and  influential  citizens,  again 
returned  to  the  original  home  of  their  race. 

The  first  of  these  was  John  de  Cheddre , who  was  Steward  of 
Bristol,  1288-9,  and  1291-2,  and  subsequently  M.P.  for  that 
city  in  1298,  being  the  second  parliamentary  representative  of 
Bristol,  whose  name  has  been  preserved.  To  him  succeeded  a 
John  de  Cheddre,  who,  in  1334,  conveyed  some  property  in 
Redcliffe  Street,  and  was  probably  M.P.  for  Bristol  in  1369. 

To  these  followed  two  brothers,  Robert  and  William  Chedder . 

William  Chedder,  the  younger  brother,  died  without  issue. 
His  will  is  dated  21st  November,  1382,  and  was  proved  27th 
February,  1382-3,  wherein  he  desires  to  be  buried  in  the 
Chapel  of  the  Blessed  Mary,  in  Cheddar  Church,  leaves 


THOMAS  CHEDDER. 


CHEDDAR  CHURCH,  SOMERSET. 


ISABEL  SCOBAHULL,  WIFE  OF  THOMAS  CHEDDER. 


CHEDDAR  CHURCH. 


The  Brook  Family. 


45 


sundry  legacies  to  that  fabric  and  religious  houses,  and  dona- 
tions to  the  needy  poor  of  Cheddar  and  Axhridge.  The 
residue  of  his  goods  he  leaves  to  Agnes , his  wife,  and  appoints 
his  brother  Robert  one  of  his  executors. 

Robert  Chedder  was  Bailiff  of  Bristol  in  1351-2,  Mayor  in 
1360-1,  and  is  the  first  of  the  family  recorded  in  existing 
documents  as  holding  possessions  in  Cheddar.  In  1362,  therein 
described  as  of  Bristol,  and  executor  of  William  Hussee,  he 
gave  a bond  to  Ralph  (de  Salopia),  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells, 
for  “ two  hundred  pounds  left  to  the  church  by  the  said 
William.”  Soon  after  this  a chantry  was  established  in 
Cheddar  Church,  of  the  annual  value  of  ten  marks,  on  behalf 
of  our  present  King  Edward,  and  the  benefit  of  his  soul  after 
death.  This  was  the  “ Chauntrie  of  Cure  Lady,”  and  situate 
on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel,  the  descendants  of  Chedder 
retaining  the  patronage  of  the  advowson. 

Robert  Chedder  married  Johanna , younger  daughter  of 
Simon  Hannap,  or  Hanham , of  Gloucestershire,  and  by  her  had 
four  sons  who  all  appear  to  have  been  born  in  Bristol — Richard , 
on  9th  September,  1379,  one  of  the  knights  of  the  Shire  for 
the  county,  1407,  1413,  1417,  1421,  and  1426  : Robert , 28th 
October,  1380,  and  living  in  1425  : William , 14th  December, 
1381  : and  Thomas , their  only  surviving  son  and  heir  : the 
other  brothers  appear  to  have  died  without  issue. 

He  survived  his  brother  William  one  year  only,  his  will  is 
dated  21st  March,  1382-3,  and  proved  30th  June,  1384.  He 
desires  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the  Chapel  of  St.  Mary,  de 
novo  fundata , gives  sundry  religious  legacies,  and  to  his  son 
Richard  “ vj  Ciphos  vocaf  Bolles  de  argento ,”  and  other  plate, 
to  William  Draper,  clerk,  a third  best  cup,  which  was  then  at 
Cheddar,  and  the  residue  of  his  goods  to  Joan  his  wife,  wdio, 
with  William  Draper,  and  William  Bierden,  were  to  be  his 
executors. 

Robert  Chedder  and  J oan  his  wife,  appear  to  have  been  the 
possessors  of  considerable  property,  including  the  manors  of 


46 


Papers , Sfc. 


Iddesleigli  and  Ashreigny,  in  Devon,  together  with  the  ad  vow- 
son  of  Ashreigny,  in  1383-8,  then  held  by  the  venerable  Sir 
John  de  Sully,  K.Gr.,  whose  heir,  the  said  Robert  probably 
was.  Sir  Thomas  Broke  presented  to  Iddesleigh,  in  1425-6, 
and  Isabel,  relict  of  Thomas  Chedder,  Esq.,  in  1474. 

Johanna  Chedder,  widow  of  Robert  Chedder,  married 
secondly  as  we  have  seen,  Sir  Thomas  Brook,  of  Olditch,  and 
died  10th  April,  1437. 

Thomas  Chedder , heir  to  his  father  Robert  Chedder,  married 
Isabel  Scobahull.  She  was  of  an  antient  and  important  family, 
who  owned  and  had  their  residence  on  a manor  so-named  in 
South-Pool,  a parish  abutting  on  the  mouth  of  the  Kings- 
bridge  estuary,  immediately  opposite  Salcombe,  in  South 
Devon.  It  is  now  a farm  known  as  Scoble,  and  tradition 
states  the  present  farm-house  occupies  the  site  of  the  former 
manor-house.  The  Scobahulls  held  it  for  about  two  centuries, 
from  temp.  Henry  III  to  Henry  V. 

Thomas  de  Scobahull  was  Sheriff  of  Devon,  19,  20,  and  21 
Edward  I (1291-2-3).  Thomas  Scobahull  married  Margery, 
sister  and  coheir  of  Robert  Coffin,  of  Coffinswell.  Thomas 
had  issue  Sir  Robert,  of  Coffinswell  (19  Edw.  II,  1324),  who 
had  issue  Sir  Thomas  (7  Edw.  Ill,  1334),  who  married  Edith, 
daughter  of  Sir  Roger  Prideaux,  of  Orcherton,  Knt.  (55  Henry 
III,  1273),  by  his  wife  Joan,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Bigbury 
(4  Edw.  II,  1311).  Thomas  had  issue  Robert,  which,  by  Elinor 
left  four  daughters,  coheiresses — Joan,  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Holbeame;  Isabel,  wife  of  Thomas  Chedder;  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  Robert  Kirkham ; and  a daughter — the  second — married 
to  Nicholas  Speccot,  who  inherited  the  manor  of  Scobahull. 

Of  the  residences  of  the  Chedders,  in  Cheddar,  Rutter 
(edition  1829)  thus  notices  their  remains  : 

“ At  the  entrance  of  the  village  from  Axbridge  is  a farm  house  which  formed 
part  of  the  manor  house  of  John  de  Cheddar.  The  surrounding  wall  has  been 
castellated,  but  the  only  part  of  the  building  remaining  tolerably  entire  is  the 
Hall,  now  used  as  a stable  and  granary,  the  ornamented  chimney-turret,  to- 
gether with  fragments  of  arches  and  mullions  of  windows,  are  lying  about  in  a 
contiguous  garden. 


The  Brook  Family. 


47 


In  a field  a little  on  the  north-east  of  the  road  leading  to  Wells,  about  a 
quarter  of  a mile  from  Cheddar,  stood  the  mansion  of  Thomas  Cheddar,  where 
the  foundations  may  be  easily  traced.  ” 

Thomas  Cheddar  died  1442-3  (Inq.  p.  mortem , 21  Henry 
VI),  holding  eighty-four  messuages  in  Bristol,  the  manor  of 
Cheddar,  and  several  others  in  Somerset.  Also  estates  in 
Gloucestershire,  Dorset,  Devon,  and  Cornwall.  He  left  two 
daughters,  his  coheiresses,  Joan  and  Isabel — his  widow,  Isabel, 
survived  him  more  than  thirty  years.* 

On  the  table  of  a high  tomb,  under  an  elegant  floriated 
canopy,  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  of  Cheddar  Church, 
is  the  presumed  brass  effigy  of  Thomas  Chedder,  ob.  1442-3. 
He  is  in  the  complete  plate  armour  of  the  period,  whose  ap- 
pointments exactly  correspond  with  those  of  Sir  John  Har- 
penden,  ob.  1458  (the  fifth  husband  of  Joan  de  la  Pole,  Lady 
of  Cobham),  in  Westminster  Abbey.  His  feet  rest  on  a lion, 
the  four  shields  and  border  inscription  are  gone. 

The  brass  effigy  of  Isabel  Scobahull,  his  wife,  is  in  the  pave- 
ment immediately  in  front  of  her  presumed  husband’s  tomb. 
She  is  attired  as  a widow,  with  barbe  ( under  the  chin , shewing 
she  was  not  of  noble  parentage  or  position),  large  cover-chief 
that  depends  to  the  shoulders,  gown  wdth  cloak  over,  fastened 
across  the  breast  with  cordon  and  tassels.  No  inscription 
remains,  and  three  of  the  four  shields  are  gone,  but  the  re- 
maining one  is,  fortunately,  preserved  in  its  proper  position  at 
the  sinister  corner  of  the  stone,  and  identifies  the  lady.  It  is 
charged  with  Chedder,  impaling,  Argent , three  fleurs-de-ly  s 
gules , in  chief  a label  of  three  azure  (Scobahull).  The  arms 
of  Scobahull  are  also  found  among  the  old  painted  glass  col- 
lected in  the  south  transept  window,  both  with  and  without 
the  label.  She  was  alive  in  1474. 

The  history  of  the  descent  from  the  two  daughters  of 
Thomas  Chedder  is  interesting,  as  connected  with  the  county 
of  Somerset. 

* For  many  of  these  particulars  the  compiler  is  indebted  the  paper  on  the 
Family  of  Chedder,  by  *Mr.  W.  George,  in  the  Som.  Arch,  and  Nat.  Hist. 
Society’s  Proceedings , vol.  xxxiv,  p.  114. 


48 


Papers , Sfc. 

Calbot  = CJjeDDet. 

VISCOUNTS  L’lSLE. 

J oan  Chedder,  the  eldest — called  after  her  grandmother, 
Lady  Brook — was  a widow  at  the  date  of  her  father’s  death, 
having  married  as  her  first  husband,  Richard  Stafford.  She 
secondly  made  a distinguished  match  with  John  Talbot,  the 
eldest  son  of  John  Talbot,  the  “great”  Earl  of  Shrewsbury, 
by  his  second  wife,  Margaret  Beauchamp.  It  will  be  necessary 
to  trace  the  descent  of  this  Countess,  to  account  for  the 
disastrous  circumstances  that  resulted  in  the  premature  death 
of  her  grandson. 

Thomas,  fifth  Lord  Berkley,  married  Margaret,  daughter 
and  heiress  of  Gerard  Warren,  second  Lord  L’lsle — ob.  1381 
— by  Alice  his  wife,  daughter  and  heir  of  Henry  Lord  Tyes, 
“the  marriage  being  solemnized  at  Wengrave,  in  Bucks,  the 
said  Lord  L’lsle’s  house.”  She  died  at  W otton-under-Edge, 
20th  March,  1392,  “and  lieth  buried  in  the  church  there, 
under  a fair  tomb.”  He  made  his  will  in  1415,  and  died  I3th 
July,  1416,  and  was  buried  beside  his  wife. 

They  left  one  daughter,  Elizabeth,  then  about  thirty  years 
of  age,  married  to  Richard  Beauchamp,  fifth  Earl  of  Warwick, 
who  died  at  Rouen,  5th  April,  1439  (whose  fine  effigy  is  in 
St.  Mary’s  Church,  Warwick)  leaving  with  other  issue,  his 
eldest  daughter  Margaret,  who  became  the  second  wife  of 
John  Talbot,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  and  mother  of  John  Talbot, 
Viscount  L’lsle,  who  married  Johanna  Chedder.  The  Coun- 
tess died  14th  June,  1468,  and  was  buried  in  the  Jesus  Chapel 
in  St.  Paul’s  Cathedral,  London,  “where  was  this  inscription 
to  her  memory  upon  a pillar  within  it.” 

“ Here  before  the  image  of  Jesus,  lyeth  the  right  worshipful  and  noble  Lady 
Margaret,  Countess  of  Shrewsbury , late  wife  of  the  true  and  victorious  Knight, 
John  Talbot,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury.  Which  worshipful  man  died  at  Guienfor  the 
right  of  this  land. 

She  was  the  first  daughter  and  one  of  the  heirs  of  the  right  famous  and 
renowned  Knight,  Richard  Beauchamp,  late  Earl  of  Warwick  (which  died  at 
Roan)  and  of  Dame  Elizabeth  his  wife,  the  which  Elizabeth  was  daughter  and 
heir  to  Thomas,  late  Lord  Berkley,  on  his  side ; and  on  her  mother's  side  Lady 
L' Isle  and  Tyes. 


MONUMENT  OF  JOAN  CHEDDER,  VISCOUNTESS  LTSLE. 


WELLS  CATHEDRAL. 


Roscoe  GHbbs  del. 


SIR  JOHN  NEWTON  AND  ISABEL  CHEDDER,  HIS  WIFE. 


YATTON  CHURCH,  SOMERSET, 


The  Brook  Family. 


49 


Which  Countess  passed  from  this  world  the  fourteenth  day  of  June,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord , 1468.  On  whose  soul,  Jesus  have  mercy.  Amen.” 

John  Talbot,  her  eldest  son,  second  husband  of  Johanna 
Chedder,  was  created  Baron  L’lsle,  of  Kingston  L’lsle,  a 
manor  and  hamlet  in  the  parish  of  Sparsholt,  Berks,  an  antient 
inheritance  of  the  L’lsles,  then  possessed  by  him,  26th  July, 
1443,  sibi  hceredibus  et  assignatis , and  afterward,  30th  October, 
1452,  Yiscount  L’lsle,  sibi  et  hceredibus  masculis  de  corpore  suo. 

He  was  engaged  with  his  father  in  the  war  with  France, 
and  we  learn  that — 

‘ 4 The  year  next  ensuing,  his  father  being  then  constituted  Lieutenant  of  the 
Duchy  of  Acquitane,  and  he  one  of  the  Captains  there  under  him,  he  was  by 
indenture  retained  to  serve  the  King  there  for  one  quarter  of  a year,  with  two 
Bannerets,  four  Knights,  seventy-three  Men-at-Arms,  on  horseback,  and  eight 
hundred  Archers  on  foot,  receiving  for  himself  six  shillings  per  diem,  for  his 
two  Bannerets  four  shillings  apiece,  for  his  seven  Knights  two  shillings,  for  the 
Men-at-Arms  twelve  pence,  and  for  the  Archers  sixpence  apiece.” 

And  there  with  his  father,  the  Earl,  he  was  destined  to  die, 
under  circumstances  similar  to  the  unfortunate  Bonvilles, 
although  not  engaged  in  internecine  strife  (that  fate  was  re- 
served for  his  son),  but  sustaining  the  fame  of  English  valour 
in  a neighbour’s  territory,  for  he  was  slain  with  his  father  at 
Chastillon,  July,  1453.  “The  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,”  Dugdale 
narrates — 

44  Hearing  that  the  French  had  besieged  Chastillon  he  advanced  thither  and 
gave  them  battle,  but  the  event  of  that  day’s  work  (though  for  a while  it  stood 
doubtful)  at  length  proved  fatal  to  the  English,  for  this  renowned  General 
being  smitten  from  his  horse  by  a cannon  bullet  there  ended  his  life,  whereupon 
his  whole  army  became  presently  routed.” 

And  as  to  his  son  John  Talbot’s  death,  Rapin  thus  notices 
it — 

“The  English  overpowered  by  numbers  began  to  give  ground.  The  Earl  of 
Shrewsbury  was  wounded  in  the  thigh  by  a musket  ball,  and  had  his  horse 
killed  under  him.  In  this  condition  not  being  able  by  reason  of  his  wound  to 
remount,  he  bid  Sir  John  Talbot,  his  son,  to  retire,  and  save  himself  for  another 
occasion,  where  he  might  be  still  serviceable  to  his  country.  But  Talbot  rather 
than  basely  fly,  chose  to  die  by  the  Earl,  his  father,  who  also  presently  after 
resigned  his  breath.” 

Dugdale  thus  gives  the  Earl’s  epitaph  as  occuring  at  Whit- 
church, in  Salop,  to  which  church  his  body  was  conveyed  and 
buried,  and  where  his  effigy  is  still  found,  but  with  no  inscrip- 
tion remaining — 


Vol.  XLIV  (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


9 


50 


Papers , Sfc. 


“ Orate  pro  anima  prasnobilis  domini,  domini  Johannis  Talbot,  quondam 
Comitis  Salopce , domini  Furnivall,  domini  Verdon,  domini  Strange  de  Blackmere, 
et  Marcschalli  Francice , qui  obiit  in  bello  apud  Burdews,  vij  Julii,  MCCCCLI1 1." 

It  is  not  recorded  whether  the  body  of  his  son  was  also 
brought  to  England  for  burial. 

Johanna  Chedder,  the  Viscount’s  widow,  survived  him  just 
eleven  years,  dying  15th  July,  1464,  and  was  buried  in  Wells 
Cathedral. 

The  monument  assigned  to  her  is  in  the  south  transept.  It 
is  very  handsome,  and  consists  of  a low  tomb,  under  a high 
ogee  canopy,  originally  richly  painted  and  gilded,  but  is  now 
greatly  tarnished  and  injured,  and  was  almost  concealed  from 
view,  until  early  in  the  present  century,  by  being  plastered  up, 
which  obstruction  was  then  removed.  The  inscription  is  on  a 
square  brass  plate  at  the  hack  of  the  canopy,  and  has  the  ap- 
pearance of  being  of  later  date  than  the  monument,  although 
L eland  saw  and  copied  it  within  a century  of  the  date  of  her 
death.  It  contains  the  following  : 

u Hie  jacet  Joanna  Vicecomitissa  de  Lisle  una  filiarum  et  hoere- 
dum  Thoms  Chedder  armiger  qus  fuit  uxor  Joannis  Vice- 
comitis  de  Lisle  Jilii  et  h (Bredis  Joannis  Comitis  Salopis  et 
Margaretce  ux'’  ejus  unius  filiarum  et  hsredum  Ricardi 
Comitis  Warwici  et  Elizabeths  uxoris  ejus  filice,  et  h (Bredis 
Thoms  de  Berkeley  militis  domini  de  Berkeley , qus  obiit 
XVmo  die  mensis  Julii  Ann  Hi  M C C C Cl, XIII. 

Apparently  there  was  a high  tomb  beneath  the  canopy  of 
this  monument,  which  has  been  removed.  This  is  evidenced 
by  the  niches  at  the  back,  now  devoid  of  sculpture,  which 
terminate  at  about  the  height  where  the  table  of  the  tomb 
would  meet  them.  The  lettering  on  the  brass  plate  is  of  com- 
paratively modern  form,  and  the  inscription  preserved  from 
Leland’s  description,  who  copied  it  from  the  original  tomb, 
then  in  existence,  and  which  was  afterward  probably  destroyed 
when  the  monument  was  mutilated  and  plastered  up. 

There  were  three  children,  Thomas , son  and  heir,  and  two 
daughters,  Elizabeth  and  Margaret. 


The  Brook  Family. 


51 


Thomas  Talbot,  son  of  John  Talbot  and  Johanna  Chedder, 
second  Viscount,  at  his  father’s  death  was  committed  to  the 
tuition  of  his  grandmother,  Margaret,  Countess  of  Shrewsbury, 
twenty  marks  per  annum  being  allowed  for  his  maintenance 
during  his  minority.  At  her  death  she  left  him  the  manors  of 
Wotton  and  Simondsall,  with  the  borough  of  Wotton,  and 
much  other  property.  He  was  then  nineteen  years  of  age 
and  married.  His  wife  was  Margaret,  daughter  of  William 
Herbert,  first  Earl  of  Pembroke,  the  unfortunate  commander 
of  the  Yorkists,  executed  at  Northampton  by  the  Lancastrians 
after  the  battle  of  Danesmore,  in  1469,  where  he  -was  defeated 
owing  to  the  defection  of  Humphrey  Stafford  (of  Suthwyke), 
Earl  of  Devon,  who  deserted  him  immediately  before  the 
engagement  with  his  contingent  of  archers,  and  for  which 
act  of  treachery,  Stafford  was  beheaded  at  Bridgwater  soon 
after,  and  his  body  buried  in  Grlastonbury  Abbey  Church, 
under  the  central  tower. 

This  unfortunate  young  man,  like  his  father  and  grand- 
father before  him,  was  fated  to  meet  his  death  in  sanguinary 
conflict-—- not  fighting  the  adversaries  of  his  native  country 
abroad,  but  in  a deadly  family  broil  at  home. 

The  origin  of  the  feud  appears  to  have  arisen  over  the 
question  (which  has  been  diligently  investigated  by  historians 
of  the  peerage,  and  apparently  never  satisfactorily  settled)  as 
to  whether  the  Barony  of  Berkley,  created  by  writ  of  summons 
23  Edw.  1 (1295),  descended  as  such,  or  otherwise  whether 
the  tenure  of  the  Castle  of  Berkley  conferred  the  Barony,  on 
which,  William  Lord  Berkley,  then  in  possession  of  it,  founded 
his  claim  and  assumed  the  title. 

The  young  Viscount  L’lsle  was  the  lineal  descendant  of  his 
great  great-grandmother,  Elizabeth,  only  daughter  of  Thomas, 
fifth  Lord  Berkley,  and  the  controversy  was,  whether  it  de- 
volved on  the  said  Elizabeth,  instead  of  the  heir  male,  an 
intricate  question  : but  James  Berkley,  nephew  of  the  above 
Thomas,  “inherited  by  special  entail  and  fine  the  Castle  of 


52 


Papers , $*c. 


Berkley,  etc.,  and  was  summoned  to  Parliament  from  1421  to 
1461,”  while  the  last  of  his  three  wives  was  Joan  Talbot, 
daughter  of  John,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  by  his  second  wife, 
and  so  aunt  to  the  young  Viscount,  still  further  complicating 
matters.  William  Lord  Berkley  was  the  eldest  son  and  heir 
of  James  by  his  second  marriage. 

Dugdale  gives  this  description  of  the  conflict — 

“But  it  was  not  long  after  (the  death  of  his  grandmother)  ere  this  young 
Viscount  L’lsle  arrived  at  his  full  age,  and  thirsting  after  the  Castle  of  Berkley, 
practised  with  one  Thomas  Holt,  the  Keeper  of  Whitby  Park,  and  one  Maurice 
King,  Porter  of  the  (Berkley)  Castle,  to  betray  it  into  his  hands  ; one  Robert 
Veel  (the  Viscount’s  Engineer)  being  likewise  an  active  person  in  that  design, 
giving  bond  to  Maurice  King  in  the  sum  of  an  hundred  pounds  that  so  soon  as 
the  work  should  be  accomplished  he  should  be  make  Keeper  of  Wotton  Park, 
with  the  fee  of  five  marks  per  annum  during  his  life.” 

Then  appeared  the  inevitable  traitor — 

“But  this  plot  being  discovered  by  Maurice  King,  so  much  perplexed  the 
Viscount  L’lsle,  that  he  forthwith  sent  this  Lord  Berkley  a challenge  requiring 
him  of  “ Knighthood  and  manhood  to  appoint  a day , and  meet  him  half-way , to 
try  their  quarrel  and  title,  to  eschew  the  shedding  of  Christian  blood,  or  to  bring 
the  same  day  the  utmost  of  his  power.  ” This  letter  of  challenge  under  the  hand 
of  that  Viscount  was  sent  19th  March,  10  Edw.  IV  (1471),  he  being  then  not 
fully  twenty-two  years  of  age,  having  sued  out  his  livery  upon  the  fourteenth 
of  June  before,  and  his  wife  then  with  child  of  her  first-born.  Unto  which 
Lord  Berkley  returned  this  answer  in  writing  : £ that  he  would  not  bring  the 
tenth  man  he  could  make,  and  bid  him  to  meet  on  the  morrow  at  Nybley  Green, 
by  eight  or  nine  of  the  clock,  which  standeth  on  the  borders  of  the  Livelode  that 
thou  keepest  untruly  from  me.  ’ 

Whereupon  they  accordingly  met  and  the  Viscount’s  vizor  being  up,  he  was 
slain  by  an  arrow  shot  through  his  head.” 

A striking  picture  of  the  barbarity  and  lawlessness  of  the 
age,  this  wager  of  battle,  literally  fighting  it  out  to  the  death, 
rather  than  having  recourse  to  the  peaceful,  if  more  prosaic, 
process  of  law,  and  followed  by  the  usual  seizure  and  confis- 
cation of  the  personal  property  and  landed  possessions  of  the 
vanquished. 

“After  which  (the  very  same  day)  the  Lord  Berkley  advanced  to  Wotton, 
and  rifling  the  house,  took  thence  many  writings  and  evidences  of  the  said 
Viscount’s  own  lands,  with  a suit  of  arras  hangings,  wherein  his  arms,  and  the 
arms  of  Lady  Joan,  his  mother  (daughter  and  coheir  of  Thomas  Chedder),  were 
wrought,  and  brought  them  to  Berkley  Castle. 

To  this  skirmish  came  divers  from  Bristol,  Thornbury,  the  Forest  of  Deane, 
and  other  places,  to  the  number  of  about  a thousand,  which  exceeded  what  the 
Viscount  brought. 

But  the  business  did  not  so  end,  for  the  widow  of  the  Viscount  L’lsle 
brought  her  appeal  against  this  William  Lord  Berkley,  and  against  Maurice 
and  Thomas  his  two  brethren,  for  thus  killing  her  husband,  with  an  arrow 
through  his  head,  and  a dagger  in  his  left  side.” 


The  Brook  Family.  53 

The  exact  cause  of  the  Viscount’s  death  is  said  to  have 
been  by  an  arrow  shot  through  his  mouth.  The  appeal  of  his 
widow  appears  to  have  been  unsuccessful,  for  the  recovery  of 
the  property,  it  being  decided  that  Lord  Berkley  should  enjoy 
the  manor  of  Wotton-under-Edge,  etc.,  paying  to  the  said 
Viscountess  Margaret,  a hundred  pounds  a year  out  of  the 
same. 

This  William  Lord  Berkley  was  a great  favourite  of  Edward 
IV,  who  created  him  successively,  Viscount  Berkley,  Earl  of 
Nottingham,  Earl  Marshall  of  England,  and  Marquis  of 
Berkley.  He  died  in  1491-2,  leaving  no  surviving  issue,  and 
disinherited  his  brother  Maurice  for  marrying  lowly,  leaving 
the  Castle  of  Berkley  to  King  Henry  VII,  and  it  remained 
with  the  Crown  until  the  decease  of  Edward  VI,  the  last 
male  descendant  of  Henry  VII,  when  it  returned  to  the 
Berkleys. 

The  controversy  over  the  disputed  property  was  again  re- 
vived by  Sir  Edward  Grey,  who  married  Elizabeth,  the  un- 
fortunate Viscount’s  sister,  but  the  Berkleys  finally  retained 
possession  of  it,  on  payment  of  a comparatively  small  annuity. 

The  widowed  Viscountess  is  said  by  Burke  to  have  after- 
ward married  Sir  Henry  Bodrugan,  of  Bodrugan  (Castle),  in 
St.  Gorran,  Cornwall.  If  so,  it  must  have  been  the  Sir 
Henry  Bodrugan  (otherwise  Trenowth)  “an  opulent  knight,” 
and  large  landed  proprietor  in  Cornwall,  a zealous  Yorkist,  of 
wdiom  Lysons  relates  that— 

“He  was  attainted  on  1485,  on  the  accession  of  Henry  VII,  fled  to  Ireland, 
and  his  larger  estates,  including  the  Manor  and  Barton,  were  siezed  by  the 
Crown.  Tradition  relates,  that  he  was  in  arms  in  Cornwall,  against  the  Earl 
of  Richmond,  that  he  was  defeated  on  a moor  not  far  from  his  own  castle  by 
Sir  Richard  Edgcumbe  and  Trevanion,  and  that  he  made  his  escape  by  a 
desperate  leap  from  the  cliff  into  the  sea,  where  a boat  was  ready  to  receive 
him.” 

The  victors  of  course  received  the  usual  spoil,  the  defeated 
man’s  possessions,  which  cost  the  generous  monarch  for  whom 
they  fought,  nothing. 

“Most  of  Bodrugan’s  estates,  including  this  manor,  were  granted  to  Sir 
Richard  Edgcumbe.  Borlase  describes  the  remains  of  the  castle  as  very  ex- 


54 


Papers , 


tensive,  that  there  was  nothing  in  Cornwall  equal  to  it  for  magnificence. 
There  was  chapel  converted  into  a bam,  the  large  hall,  and  an  antient  kitchen 
with  timber  roof,  the  architecture  about  the  time  of  Edward  I.  Ail  these 
buildings  were  pulled  down  about  1786.  A great  barn  still  remains.” 

Elizabeth,  second  daughter  of  John  Talbot,  Viscount  LTsle 
and  Joan  Chedder,  married  Sir  Edward  Grey,  brother  to  Sir 
John  Grey,  second  Lord  Grey  of  Groby.  By  this  alliance 
she  became  sister-in-law  to  Elizabeth  Widville,  afterward 
Queen  to  King  Edward  IV,  and  aunt  to  Cicely  Bonville,  the 
great  heiress  of  Shute,  a few  miles  distant  from  Olditch. 

On  the  death  of  her  brother  Thomas,  Viscount  LTsle, 
without  issue,  she  became  with  her  sister  Margaret  his  co- 
heiresses, and  in  them  also  the  barony  of  LTsle  remained  in 
abeyance. 

Margaret  married  Sir  George  Vere,  knt.,  and  died  without 
issue,  in  1471.  After  her  death  the  title  was  revived  in  Sir 
Edward  Grey,  the  husband  of  Elizabeth,  and  he  was  created 
by  Edward  IV,  in  1475,  Baron  LTsle,  and  28th  June,  1483, 
Viscount  LTsle. 

There  were  four  children  : J ohn,  Ann  married  to  J ohn 
Willoughby,  Muriel,  and  Elizabeth. 

Muriel  married  first  Edward  Stafford,  second  Earl  of  Wilt- 
shire, grandson  of  Humphrey,  first  Duke  of  Buckingham. 
He  died  without  issue,  24th  March,  1499,  when  the  earldom 
became  extinct.  His  fine  tomb  and  effigy  are  in  Lowick 
Church,  Northamptonshire.  Secondly,  she  married  his  first 
cousin,  Henry  Stafford,  younger  son  of  Henry,  second  Duke 
of  Buckingham,  and  in  him  Henry  VIH,  in  1509,  revived  the 
title  of  Earl  of  Wiltshire.  There  was  no  issue  by  this  mar- 
riage, her  husband  survived  her,  and  married  secondly  as  her 
second  husband,  Cicely  Bonville  of  Shute,  widow  of  the 
Marquis  of  Dorset.  He  died  in  1523. 

John  Grey,  her  son,  second  Viscount  LTsle  of  that  creation, 
married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Thomas  Howard,  Duke  of 
Norfolk. 

He  died  in  1512,  leaving  an  only  daughter  Elizabeth.  She 


The  Brook  Family. 


55 


was  contracted  in  marriage  with  Charles  Brandon,  afterward 
Duke  of  Suffolk,  and  he  was  in  consequence  on  5th  March, 
5 Henry  VI J I (1514),  created  Viscount  L’lsle,  hut  when  she 
became  of  age,  she  refused  to  have  him,  and  the  patent  was 
cancelled.  She  soon  afterwards  married  Henry  Courtenay, 
the  unfortunate  Marquis  of  Exeter  (of  Colcombe),  as  his  first 
wife,  but  died  without  issue  before  1526,  leaving  her  aunt, 
Elizabeth  Grey,  her  father’s  surviving  sister  as  her  heir. 
The  Marquis  married  secondly  Gertrude,  daughter  of  William 
Blount,  fourth  Lord  Montjoy,  ob.  1535,  to  whose  grandson 
Charles  Blount,  eighth  Lord  Montjoy,  K.G.,  created  Earl  of 
Devon,  James  I subsequently  gave  Olditch  and  Weycroft, 
after  the  attainder  of  Henry,  the  last  ill-fated  Lord  Cobham. 

The  wardship  of  Elizabeth,  the  surviving  daughter  of  the 
before-named  Sir  Edward  Grey,  had  been  obtained  by  Ed- 
mund Dudley,  the  rapacious  minister  of  Henry  VIII,  and  he 
subsequently  married  her,  but  was  attainted  and  beheaded  by 
Henry  VIII  on  Tower  Hill,  28th  August,  1511.  There 
were  four  children,  J ohn,  Andrew,  and  J erome,  and  a daughter 
Elizabeth,  married  to  William,  sixth  Lord  Stourton. 

John,  their  eldest  son,  only  eight  years  old  at  his  father’s 
death,  was  restored  “in  name,  blood,  and  degree,”  and  in- 
herited all  his  father’s  property  ; but  his  life  was  a troublesome 
one,  notwithstanding  his  honours  and  ambition,  and  ended  at 
last  like  his  father’s,  on  the  scaffold.  In  him  the  Viscounty 
of  L’lsle  was  again  revived,  the  antient  dignity  of  his  mother’s 
family,  on  12th  March,  1542,  the  year  following  the  death 
without  male  issue  of  his  step-father,  Arthur  Plantagenet, 
who  had  been  so  created.  He  became  the  well-known  Duke 
of  Northumberland,  who  together  with  his  son,  Lord  Guilford, 
and  his  wife,  the  unfortunate  Lady  Jane  Grey,  all  perished 
successively  at  the  headsman’s  block. 

A further  and  distinguished  alliance  awaited  Elizabeth  Grey, 
the  widow  of  Edmund  Dudley,  and  grand-daughter  of  Johanna 
Chedder.  She  married  secondly  Arthur  Plantagenet,  natural 


56 


Papers , Sfc. 


son  of  King  Edward  IV,  by  the  Lady  Elizabeth  Lucy.  He 
was  installed  Knight  of  the  Garter,  and  created  on  26th  April, 
1533,  on  surrender  of  that  dignity  by  Charles  Brandon,  Vis- 
count LTsle. 

In  Kisdon’s  Note  Book,  it  is  stated  that  “ he  was  knighted 
at  Turney,”  and  is  included  among  the  Devonshire  peers  as 
“Arthur  Plantaginet,  Viscont  Lisley,  of  Umberley,”  in  Devon, 
with  the  arms — Quarterly,  first  and  fourth,  England  quar- 
tering France,  second  and  third  ; or,  a cross  gules,  over  all  a 
bendlet  sinister  sable. 

His  death,  although  happening  in  an  indirect  manner,  must 
include  him  among  the  victims  that  perished  in  the  blood- 
stained reign  of  Henry  VIII. 

“ In  1533,  lie  was  Lieutenant  of  Calais,  and  sometime  after  incurring  sus- 
picion of  being  privy  to  a plot  to  deliver  the  garrison  to  the  French,  he  was 
recalled  and  committed  to  the  Tower ; but  his  innocence  appearing  manifest 
upon  investigation,  the  King  not  only  gave  immediate  orders  for  his  release, 
but  sent  him  a diamond  ring,  and  a most  gracious  message,  which  made  such 
an  impression  on  the  sensitive  nobleman  that  he  died  the  night  following,  3rd 
March,  1541,  of  excessive  joy.” 

Three  daughters  and  co-heirs  only,  were  the  issue  of  this 
marriage,  Bridget,  Frances,  and  Elizabeth.  Bridget  married 
Sir  William  Carden ; Elizabeth,  Sir  Thomas  J obson  ; Frances, 
the  second  daughter,  by  both  her  marriages  found  her  home 
in  Devon. 

Her  first  husband  was  John  Basset,  of  Umberleigh,  in 
North  Devon.  He  was  the  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir  John 
Basset,  Knt.,  of  Umberleigh,  Sheriff  of  Devon,  1524-5,  died 
31st  January,  1539,  by  his  first  wife  Honor,  daughter  of  Sir 
Thomas  Grenville,  Knt.,  ob.  17th  March,  1513,  whose  tomb 
and  effigy  are  in  Bideford  Church.  The  brass  of  himself,  his 
wives,  and  their  twelve  children  is  in  Atherington  Church ; 
he  is  bare-headed,  but  otherwise  in  full  armour ; his  wives, 
Honor  Grenville,  and  Ann,  daughter  of  John  Dennys,  of 
Orleigh,  in  pedimental  head-dresses,  gowns  with  full  sleeves 
guarded  with  fur,  and  girdles  with  dependant  chains  and 


JOHN  BASSETT  AND  HIS  WIVES. 


ATHEHINGTON  CIIUBCH,  DEVON. 


The  Brook  Family. 


57 


pomander  balls.  The  arms  are  Basset  quartering  Willington 
and  Beaumont,  impaling  Grenville  and  Dennys.* 

John  Basset,  the  first  husband  of  Frances  Plantagenet,  was 
Sheriff  of  Cornwall,  1518  and  1523,  and  died  20th  April, 
1541.  There  were  two  children,  a son  described  on  an  ad- 
joining tomb  as  “ the  Worshipful  and  Worthy  Sir  Arthur ,” 
perished  of  gaol  fever  after  the  Black  Assizes  at  Exeter,  in 
1586,  and  a daughter  married  to  William  Whiddon. 

Secondly,  she  married  Thomas  Monke,  of  Potheridge  in 
Merton,  North  Devon  (as  his  first  wife),  ob.  1583,  by  whom 
she  had  three  sons  and  three  daughters.  By  her  eldest  son 
she  was  great-grandmother  of  George  Monke,  the  “ Restora- 
tion ” Duke  of  Albemarle. 

Thus  through  this  long  and  intricate  genealogy  are  inter- 
esting local  associations  constantly  interwoven,  and  the  strain 
of  Chedder  perpetuated. 


jftetoton  = C&etmet  = TBtoofe, 

OF  YATTON  AND  EAST  HARPTK.EE. 

The  descent  from  Isabel,  second  daughter  of  Thomas  Chedder 
and  Isabel  Scobahull,  and  grand-daughter  of  Lady  Johanna 
Brook,  of  Olditch,  by  her  first  husband  Robert  Chedder, 
although  not  so  distinguished  as  her  elder  sister,  is  neverthe- 
less most  interesting  in  connection  with  our  little  history. 

Presumably — for  there  is  some  obscurity  in  the  early  pub- 
lished pedigrees  of  Newton — it  was  Frances  Newton,  a de- 
scendant of  Thomas  Newton,  brother  to  Sir  John  Newton, 
the  husband  of  Isabel  Chedder,  who  was  destined  to  become 
the  second  wife  of  William  Brook,  K.G.,  fifth  Baron  of 

* It  may  be  noted  here  that  the  series  of  brasses  illustrating  this  account 
have  all  been  engraved  from  rubbings  specially  taken  and  completed  by  the 
author  and  are  fac-similes  ; as  also  the  views  of  Olditch  and  Weycroft  from 
photographs  taken  by  him  ; and  for  three  of  the  other  illustrations  that  bear  his 
initials,  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Roscoe  Gibbs,  from  his  original  drawings. 


Vol.  XL1  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


h 


58 


Papers , fyc. 


Cobham,  and  mother  with  seven  other  children  of  Henry 
Brook,  K.G.,  the  sixth  and  last  unfortunate  Baron  of  that 
descent,  so  cruelly  used  by  James  I,  as  also  of  his  brother, 
George  Brook,  who  perished  on  the  scaffold  at  Winchester, 
5th  December,  1603,  for  alleged  participation  in  what  was 
termed  “ Raleigh’s  conspiracy.” 

Isabel  Chedder  married  Sir  John  Newton,  who  was  the 
eldest  son  of  Sir  Richard  Newton,  Chief  Justice  of  the 
Common  Pleas,  by  Emma,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Perrot,  of 
Islington. 

The  Judge  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  Court-de-Wyck 
Chapel,  or  north  transept  of  Yatton  Church,  under  a high 
tomb,  whereon  are  their  effigies  in  alabaster,  originally  painted 
and  gilded,  and  displaying  fine  examples  of  the  legal  and 
social  costume  of  the  age.  The  Judge  wears  a long  red  robe 
with  tippet  and  hood,  collar  of  S.S.,  a narrow  jewelled  belt 
from  which  depends  a short  sword,  and  scrip  or  purse,  on  his 
head  a coif,  pulled  down  over  the  ears  and  tied  under  the  chin, 
a fringe  of  hair  shewing  over  the  forehead.  There  is  great 
expression  in  the  features  indicating  a powerful  mind,  and  is 
probably  a portrait.  His  head  rests  on  a helmet  with  crest  of 
Newton  (or  Cradoc),  a wheat  sheaf  issuant  from  a ducal  coronet , 
both  gilded.  Several  rings  are  on  his  fingers,  and  one  on  the 
thumb  of  the  right  hand.  At  his  feet  two  dogs.  The  lady 
in  rich  robes  and  a profusion  of  massive  jewellery,  with  rosary, 
at  her  feet  a dog  with  collar  and  bells. 

There  is  no  inscription,  underneath  are  angels  bearing  shields, 
the  bearings  denuded,  but  they  appear  to  have  been  Newton, 
Or,  on  a chevron  azure , three  garbs  of  the  first , and  Newton 
quartering  Perrot,  Gules , three  pears  pendant  or , and  those  of 
his  ancestor,  Nicholas  Sherborne,  Ermine , four  fusils  in  fess 
sable.  He  was  admitted  Sergeant-at-law,  1424;  Judge  on 
Circuit,  1426  ; Recorder  of  Bristol,  1430;  Justice  of  the 
Common  Pleas,  8th  November,  1438,  and  died  soon  after. 
He  appears  to  have  left  two  sons,  John  and  Thomas. 


The  Brook  Family. 


59 


Sir  John  Newton,  the  eldest,  in  right  of  his  wife,  appears 
to  have  been  of  Court-de-W yck,  in  Yatton,  a manor  originally 
belonging  to  the  de  Wycks,  or  Wykes,  from  them  to  the  de 
Gyenes,  and  from  them  to  the  Chedders,  and  to  have  built  or 
rebuilt  the  mansion  there,  on  which  were  his  arms,  with  those 
of  his  wife,  and  also  of  Norris.  From  the  similarity  of  the 
details  of  the  portions  preserved  of  Court-de-Wyck,  now  at 
Clevedon  Court,  which  are  given  as  the  frontispiece  of  Rutter’s 
Somerset , and  those  found  on  Yatton  Church,  together  with 
apparently  the  arms  of  Sherborne  impaling  Chedder  on  the 
fine  south  porch,  it  is  probable  they  were  considerably  inter- 
ested in  the  rebuilding  of  that  edifice,  in  addition  to  the  con- 
struction of  the  “New  Chapel  ” of  St.  John,  east  of  the  north 
transept  in  which  they  were  interred. 

According  to  the  Visitations , 1531-73,  they  appear  to  have 
had  one  son  Richard , ob.  1501,  who  married  Elizabeth  St. 
John,  and  they  had  issue  two  daughters,  Isabel , who  married 
Sir  Giles  Capel  (buried  at  Abbots-Roothing  in  Essex,  1613), 
and  Joan  to  Sir  Thomas  Griffin,  of  Braybrook,  to  whom 
Court-de-Wyck  ultimately  descended. 

“His  will  was  proved  20th  April,  1487  ; for  his  burial  in  Yatton  Church, 
£6  8s.  8d.,  this  good  man  also  directed  twenty  shillings  to  be  paid  to  his  tailor 
in  Bristol,  and  the  document  ends  thus — ‘ In  witness  of  this  my  effectual  and 
last  will,  I have  hereto  put  my  seale  in  this  church  of  our  Lady  of  Yatton.' 

His  widow,  Isabel,  died  in  1498,  she  made  her  will,  14th  March,  1498-9, 
and  ordered  her  executors,  ‘ to  find  a well  disposed  priest  to  sing  for  my  soul 
within  the  Church  of  Yatton,  and  the  new  Chapel  of  St.  John,  during  the  space 
of  five  years. ’ She  also  bequeathed  six  shillings  and  eight  pence  in  money,  ‘/or 
the  poor  prisoners  of  Newgate  in  the  town  of  Bristowe.’>  ” (Som.  Arch,  and  Nat. 
History  Society’s  Proceedings,  vol.  xxvii). 

They  were  both  buried  under  a splendid  tomb  in  this  new 
Chapel  or  Chantry  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  which  is 
situate  in  the  angle  between  the  north  transept  and  the 
chancel.  It  is  on  the  north  side,  or  Founders  place,  of  the 
Chantry  altar,  and  consists  of  a fine  canopy  flanked  by  but- 
tresses richly  pinnacled,  and  with  niches.  Across  the  top  a 
string-course  studded  with  square  four-leaved  ornament,  and 
above  a trefoil  pierced  cresting.  Below  are  ten  large  niches 
with  rich  canopies,  in  one  the  lower  portion  of  the  figure 


60 


Papers , $*c. 


remains.  These  are  succeeded  by  another  string-course  with 
four-leaved  ornament,  below  which  a pierced  and  cusped 
canopy  of  open  work  enriched  with  leaf-work  and  bosses. 

At  the  back  of  the  canopy  over  the  effigies  is  a remarkable 
sculpture  of  the  Annunciation.  The  Virgin  crowned,  sits  on 
a cushion  before  a lily,  rising  from  a vessel  with  a handle,  and 
above  the  lily  flowers,  from  clouds,  issues  a beam  of  light 
ending  in  a dove  streaming  toward  the  Virgin,  and  behind 
her  is  a book-stand  with  a book  on  it.  She  has  her  hands 
raised  and  extended,  as  if  surprised  at  her  devotions  by  the 
angel  on  the  other  side  of  the  lily,  who,  advancing  towards 
her,  holds  a long  scroll  (emblematic  of  the  angelic  salutation) 
which  surrounds  the  stem  of  the  lily,  and  floats  back  over  the 
head  of  the  angel,  who  wears  a cap  with  a band  round  the 
brow  studded  with  roses,  and  in  front  rises  a Maltese  cross. 

The  knight  is  bare-headed,  but  otherwise  in  complete  plate 
armour,  he  wears  the  collar  of  S.S.,  and  his  head  rests  on  a 
helmet  with  the  crest  of  Newton.  The  lady  wears  a pyramidal 
head-dress  with  flowing  front  lappets,  and  has  a band  or 
collar  of  rich  jewellery  round  the  neck. 

Thomas  Newton,  second  son  of  the  Judge  was  of  East 
Harptree.  The  manor  of  East  Harptree  belonged  to  a family 
of  that  name,  the  last  of  whom  William  Harptree  had  a 
daughter  and  heiress  Ellen,  who  married  Robert  Gourney,  the 
son  of  Sir  Anselm  Gourney,  whose  descendants  “ lived  at  the 
noble  Richmonte  Castle  at  Harptree,  now  in  ruins.”  His 
great-grandson,  Sir  Thomas  Gourney,  was  the  father  of  the 
redoubtable  Sir  Matthew  (of  Stoke-sub-Hamdon)  and  three 
other  sons,  who  all  died  without  issue,  and  a daughter  Joan, 
married  to  Philip  Caldicott,  whose  daughter  Alice,  married 
Philip,  the  son  of  Richard  Hampton  and  Elizabeth  Bitton. 
Their  grand-daughter  Lucy,  ob.  1504,  married  Thomas  Newton, 
who  thus  succeeded  to  the  manor. 

Thomas  Newton  and  Lucy  Hampton  had  a son  Thomas, 
who  married  Joan,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Sir  John  Barr,  of 


MONUMENT  OF  SIR  JOHN  NEWTON,  EAST  HARPTREE  CHURCH. 


The  Brook  Family. 


61 


Barr’s  Court,  Bitton,  Gloucester,  temp.  Edw.  IV.  Their  son 
Thomas  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  Edmond  Gorges, 
of  Wraxall,  and  their  son  Sir  John  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Sir  Anthony  Pointz,  of  Iron-Acton,  Gloucester, 
by  whom  he  had  twenty  children,  eight  sons,  and  twelve 
daughters,  one  of  whom  was  Elizabeth,  who  became  the  second 
wife  of  William  Brook,  fifth  Lord  Cobham. 

Sir  John  Newton,  who  died  in  1568,  is  buried  in  East 
Harptree  Church,  wdiere  there  is  a fine  monument,  on  which 
is  his  effigy  in  the  costume  of  the  period,  and  below  him  kneel 
his  twenty  children  ; at  the  back  of  the  canopy  is  this  inscrip- 
tion : — 

Here  Lieth  ye  Body  of  Sr  John  Newton , who  Married  Mar- 
garet , Daughter  of  Sr  Anthony  Pointz , Knight , By  Whome 
he  Had  Issue  Eight  Sons , and  Twelve  Daughters,  and 
Departed  this  Life  the  10 tk  April , 1568. 

In  Assured  Hope  of  a Joy  full  Resurrection. 

What  merit  Honour  brings  and  all  World's  Pride , 

When  f atoll  stroke  Rents  thread  of  Mortal  wight  ; 

If  Sacred  Vertue  Have  not  been  the  Guide 
That  manag'd  all  with  Gifts  of  matchless  might  ? 

Which  well  hee  knew  that  Here  interred  is, 

Whose  Vertues  rare  Proclaime  his  endless  Bliss. 

And  on  the  end  of  the  tomb  : — 

Katharina  Newton,  Nuper  Vxor  Henrici  Newton  Extruit  Hoc 
Tumulum  An  Do' , 1605. 

This  was  Katherine  Paston,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Paston 
of  Norfolk,  and  wife  of  Sir  Henry  Newton,  ob.  1599,  eldest 
son  and  heir  of  Sir  John. 

Over  the  monument  is  a shield  with  twenty  quarterings,  in- 
teresting as  illustrating  the  descent  of  Newton  (including 
Chedder,  although  presumably  not  descending  from  them) 
and  alliance  with  Pointz  : 1,  Newton  ; 2,  Sherborne  ; 3,  Pen- 
nington ; 4,  Perrot;  5,  Norris;  6,  Chedder;  7,  Hampton; 


62 


Papers , Sfc. 


8,  Bitton ; 9,  F urneaux  ; 10,  Between  three  leaves , on  a chevron 
an  eaglet  displayed ; 1 1,  Gourney  ; 12,  Harptree,  impaling 
1,  Pointz  ; 2,  Bardolf ; 3,  Three  escallops  ; 4,  Acton  ; 5,  Clam- 
bow  ; 6,  Berkeley;  7,  Fitz-Nicholl ; 8,  Per  fess , and  a canton 
sinister . Above  is  the  crest  of  Newton,  a King  of  the  Moors , 
clad  in  mail , and  crowned  or , kneeling  and  delivering  up  his 
sword , allusive  to  an  exploit  of  their  maternal  ancestor,  Sir 
Anselm  Gourney,  at  the  “winning  of  Accom,”  temp.  Bich.  I. 


ON  THE  MONUMENT  AT  EAST  HARPTREE. 


Succeeding  Sir  Henry  was  Sir  Theodore,  ob.  1608,  who 
married  Penelope,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Rodney,  of  Rodney- 
Stoke,  who  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Sir  John,  the  last  of 
the  Newtons  of  Barr’s  Court,  who  married  Grace  Stone,  was 
created  a Baronet,  16th  August,  1660,  died  sine  prole , and 
was  buried  in  Bristol  Cathedral. 


63 


The  Brook  Family. 

'Brook  JBetoton, 

BARON  OF  COBHAM. 

Frances  Newton  was  married  to  William  Lord  Brook,  29th 
February,  1559-60,  and  died  17th  October,  1592  ; her  husband, 
6th  March,  1596-7.  “ She  was  constituted  one  of  Queen 

Elizabeth’s  ladies  of  the  Bedchamber,  with  great  and  quaint 
ceremony  at  W estminster  in  the  presence  of  the  Queen  herself. 
Her  Majesty  also  stood  sponsor  for  her  first-born,  a son  called 
Maximilian,  who  however  died  at  Naples  in  1583.”  {Waller). 

He  erected  in  1561,  in  Cobham  Church,  the  splendid  tomb 
with  alabaster  effigies,  to  his  father  George  Brook,  K.G., 
fourth  Baron,  ob.  1558,  and  mother  Anne,  daughter  of  Edmund, 
Lord  Bray  ; their  fourteen  tabarded  children  kneel  below, 
and  among  them  is  William  Brook. * An  escutcheon  at  the 
west  end  has  twenty-seven  quarterings,  the  impalement  of 
twelve  thereof  being  for  his  second  wife  Frances  Newton, 
among  them  the  sixth  quarter  is  Chedder ; the  crest,  a Saracen's 
head , the  ancient  crest  of  Cobham.  At  the  east  end  is  his 
father’s  escutcheon,  quartering  Bray — crest,  a lion  passant , 
crowned , with  the  motto  JE  ' ME  • FIE  • EN  • DIEV. 

George  Brook,  third  son  of  George  Lord  Cobham,  ob.  1558, 
and  brother  to  Frances  Newton’s  husband,  came  into  Devon- 
shire for  a wife.  “He  appears,”  says  Mr.  Waller, 

4 4 In  his  parent’s  magnificent  tomb,  kneeling  on  one  knee,  and  his  tabard 
shews  Cobham  impaling  Duke  (of  Otterton,  Devon),  parted  per  pale  argent  and 
azure,  three  wreaths  counter  changed.  He  was  born  27th  January,  1532-3,  was 
sent  abroad  with  a tutor,  and  studied  Greek,  Latin,  and  Italian  with  him  at 
Venice,  1545-6.  Returning  to  England,  he  was  apprenticed  to  his  father  (his 
father  was  Deputy  of  Calais),  31st  December,  1552,  as  Merchant  of  the  Staple 
of  Calais  in  the  usual  form,  (Sir)  George  Barnes  (Haberdasher),  Lord  Mayor  of 
London,  (William  Gerard  and  John  Maynard)  the  Sheriffs  being  witnesses. 
And  this  is  all  that  can  be  said  of  him,  except  that  in  1561,  he  took  refuge  at 
Antwerp,  from  his  German  creditors.  He  married  Christina,  daughter  and 
heir  of  Richard  Duke  of  Poerhayes,  Otterton,  Sheriff  of  Devon  1565,  died 
8th  September,  1572,  by  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth  Franke,  of  York.  She  appears 
to  have  been  previously  married,  for  as  joint  administratrix  to  her  father  she 
is  described  as  Christian  Sprente  alias  Duke.” 

This  match  is  recorded  in  the  Visitations  for  Devon. 

* The  tomb  was  terribly  mutilated,  and  the  brasses  injured,  restorations  of  both 
were  made  at  the  cost  of  F.  C.  Brooke,  Esq.,  of  Ufford,  carried  out  under  distin- 
guished authorities  and  documentary  evidence,  and  completed  1865-6.” — Waller. 


64 


Papers , Sfc. 


IB  rook, 

OF  ILCHESTER,  OLDITCH  AND  WEYCROFT  ; 

BARONS  OF  COBHAM. 

A short  notice  in  continuation  of  their  descent,  may  be 
included. 

I.  Sir  Thomas  Brook,  Knt.,  the  younger,  who  married 
Joan  de  la  Pole-Braybroke,  Lady  of  Cobham,  and 
previously  noticed,  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Edward. 

II.  Sir  Edward  Brook,  Knt.,  summoned  to  Parliament 
as  a Baron,  from  1445  to  1462,  was  a firm  adherent  to  the 
House  of  York ; at  the  battle  of  St.  Alban’s,  1445,  and 
Northampton,  1460.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
James  Tuchet,  Lord  Audley,  died  1464,  leaving  a son  John. 

III.  Sir  John  Brook,  Knt.,  summoned  as  a Baron, 
1472  to  1511.  Was  at  the  coronation  of  Richard  III  ; em- 
ployed by  Henry  YII  in  an  expedition  to  Flanders ; and 
helped  to  defeat  the  Cornish  insurrection  on  Blackheath,  in 
1497,  where  his  cousin  Lord  Audley  was  taken  prisoner  and 
afterward  executed.  He  married  first  Eleanor,  daughter 

of Austell , of  Suffolk,  and  secondly  Elizabeth, 

daughter  of  Edward.  Nevill , Lord  Abergavenny  ; she  died  30th 
September,  1506  ; he  died  9th  March,  1511-2.  Both  buried  at 
Cobham,  where  there  is  a fine  brass  to  his  memory.  Weever 
gives  this  inscription  : — 

Hie  jacet  Johannes  Broke  miles  ac  Baro  Baronie  de  Cobham  ac  domina 
Margareta  uxor  sua  quondam  filia  nobilis  viri  Edouardi  Nevil  nuper  Domini  de 

Burgaveny,  qui  quidem  Johannes  obiil die  mens'  Septemb ’ Ann ’ Dorn' 

150  6,  quorum  animabus A men." 

He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Thomas. 

IV.  Sir  Thomas  Brook,  Knt.,  summoned  as  a Baron, 
1515  to  1523.  Was  at  the  siege  of  Tournay;  the  “battle  of 
Spurs,”  in  1513  ; made  a Knight  Banneret  by  the  King,  1514  ; 
and  at  the  “Field  of  the  Cloth  of  Gold,”  1520.  He  married, 
first,  Dorothy,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Heydon,  by  whom  he 


The  Brook  Family. 


65 


had  thirteen  children ; secondly.  Dorothy  Southwell,  a 
widow,  and  thirdly,  Elizabeth  Hart,  who  both  died  without 
issue.  He  died  19th  July,  1529,  buried  at  Cobham  where  is 
his  brass,  the  last  of  the  remarkable  series  of , these  memorials 
there.  W eever  gives  the  following  inscription  : — 

“ Orate  pro  anima  The?  Broke  militis  Domini  de  Cobham  consanguinei  et 
heredis  Richardi  Beauchampe  militis,  qui  quidem  Thomas  cepit  in  uxorem,  Doro- 
theam,  filiam  Henrici  Heydon  militis  ; et  habuerunt  exitum  intereos,  septem  Jilios, 
et  sex  films,  et  predicta  Dorothea  obiit  ....  et  predictus  Thomas  cepit  in 
uxorem  Dorotheam  Sowthewel  viduam,  que  obiit  sine  exitu ; et  postea  cepit  in 
uxorem  Elizdbetham  Harte  et  habuerunt  nullum  exitum  inter  eos ; qui  quidem 
Thomas  obiit  19  Julii,  1529.” 

He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  George. 

V.  Sir  George  Brook,  Knt.,  summoned  as  a Baron, 
1529  to  1557.  Attended  with  his  father  at  the  marriage  of 
the  Princess  Mary  with  Louis  XII,  in  France,  1514  ; knighted 
in  the  French  war  by  Earl  of  Surrey,  1522  ; one  of  the  Peers 
at  the  trial  of  Anne  Boleyn,  1536  ; in  the  expedition  against 
the  Scots  under  the  Earl  of  Hertford,  1546  ; Deputy  of  Calais, 
and  K.G.,  1549.  Obtained  large  grants  of  ecclesiastical  lands, 
including  the  manor  of  Chattingdon,  and  the  college  of  Cobham. 
One  of  the  four  lay  lords  at  the  trial  of  the  Protector  Somerset, 
and  constituted  in  1551,  Lieutenant-General  of  the  forces 
sent  to  the  north.  Although  he  acquiesced  in  Queen  Mary’s 
Proclamation,  he  was  considered  implicated  in  Sir  Thomas 
Wyatt’s  treason  (which  his  younger  son  Thomas  had  joined), 
and  was  with  his  son  William  committed  to  the  Tower,  but 
whose  pardon  with  others  “ was  extorted  from  the  Queen  by 
the  Council.”  He  entertained  Cardinal  Pole  on  his  progress 
at  Cowling  Castle,  in  1555,  and  the  year  following  was  on  the 
Commission  to  “enquire  about  heretics.”  He  married  Anne, 
daughter  of  Edmund  Lord  Hr  aye,  by  whom  he  had  ten  sons 
and  four  daughters.  She  died  1st  November,  1558,  and  he 
deceased  29th  September,  1558 : were  both  buried  at  Cobham, 
where  his  son  and  successor  William , in  1561,  erected  the 
magnificent  tomb  to  his  memory,  whereon  are  the  effigies  of 


Vol  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


66  Papers,  Sfc. 

himself  and  wife,  and  below  them  their  fourteen  children  kneel 
around. 

VI.  Sir  William  Brook,  Knt.,  summoned  as  a Baron, 
1558  to  1593.  Lord- Warden  and  Chancellor  of  the  Cinque 
Ports,  Constable  of  Dover,  and  Lord-Lieutenant  of  Kent, 

1558  to  1596.  In  November,  1558,  was  sent  to  Brussels  to 
announce  to  King  Philip  of  Spain,  the  death  of  his  Consort, 
Queen  Mary;  and  again  in  1578  and  1588,  was  on  an  embassy 
to  the  Spanish  Governor  of  the  Netherlands.  Entertained 
Queen  Elizabeth  at  Cobham  Hall  during  her  progresses  in 

1559  and  1573.  Privy  Councillor  and  K.G.,  1585;  Gustos  of 
Eltham  Palace,  1592 ; and  Lord  Chamberlain  a short  time 
before  his  decease,  which  took  place  6th  March,  1596-7.  He 
added  greatly  to  Cobham  Hall,  refounded  Cobham  College 
for  the  good  of  the  poor,  and  was  a great  patron  of  literature. 
In  1572,  was  one  of  those  committed  to  the  Tower  for  par- 
ticipating in  the  designs  of  the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  regarding 
his  marriage  with  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  and  made  a discovery 
of  the  whole  affair,  in  the  hope  of  attaining  his  own  pardon. 

He  married  first,  Dorothy,  daughter  of  George  Lord 
Abergavenny , who  died  22nd  September,  1559,  and  by  whom 
he  had  an  only  daughter,  Frances ; and  secondly  to  Frances, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Newton , of  East  Harptree,  who  died  17th 
October,  1592,  and  by  whom  he  had  ( 1 ) Maximilian , (2)  Henry , 
his  successor,  (3)  George , executed  at  Winchester  for  alleged 
participation  in  Raleigh’s  conspiracy,  (4)  William , (5)  Eliza- 
beth, (6)  Frances , (7)  Margaret.  He  died  in  1596,  and  was 
succeeded  by  his  second  son,  Henry. 

VII.  Sir  Henry  Brook,  Knt.,  summoned  as  a Baron, 
1597,  and  K.G.,  1599  ; died  in  1619.  A notice  of  this  unfor- 
tunate man,  the  last  of  the  Brooks,  and  also  of  the  Barons  of 
Cobham,  in  Kent,  of  the  original  creation  which  was  by  writ 
in  1313,  will  be  subsequently  given. 


The  Brook  Family. 


67 


TBcOOfe, 

OF  HECKINGTON,  BARON  OF  COBHAM. 

Sir  John  Brook,  Knt.,  styled  “of  Heckington,  in  the 
county  of  Lincoln,”  was  the  son  of  Sir  Henry  Brook , oh.  1591, 
of  Sutton-at-Hone,  Kent  (who  was  the  fifth  son  of  George 
Brook,  fourth  Baron  of  Cobham,  ob.  1558),  by  his  wife  Anne, 
ob.  1612,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Sutton , of  Notts.  He  was 
raised  to  the  peerage  as  a Baron  by  Charles  I,  3rd  January, 
1645,  “to  enjoy  that  title  in  as  ample  a manner  as  any  of  his 
ancestors,  and  to  have  the  same  place  and  precedency,”  save 
that  the  remaindership  was  limited  to  heirs  male.  He  married 
first,  Anne  . . . buried  23rd  February,  1625,  at  Kensington ; 
secondly,  Frances,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Bamfield , by 
whom  he  had  a son,  George , who  died  in  infancy ; she  was 
buried  in  1676,  at  Surfleet,  co.  Lincoln.  He  appears  to  have 
been  a weak-minded  man,  similar  to  his  cousin  Henry,  and 
described  as  a worthless  spendthrift,  who  dispersed  the  family 
estates.  He  died  sine  prole , and  was  buried  20th  May,  1660, 
at  Wakerley,  in  Northamptonshire. 


Cemple, 

OF  STOWE,  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, 

VISCOUNTS  AND  BARONS  OF  COBHAM. 

Descending  through  a succession  of  distaffs  from  Margaret 
(daughter  of  William  Brook,  fifth  Baron  of  Cobham,  ob.  1597), 
wife  of  Sir  Thomas  Sondes , ob.  1592,  of  Throwley,  Kent ; SlJR 
Richard  Temple,  Bart.,  of  Stowe,  Buckinghamshire,  ob. 
1749;  was  on  the  19th  October,  1714,  created  Baron  Cobham, 


68 


Papers , 8fc. 


of  Cobham,  in  Kent;  and  on  23rd  May,  1718,  was  re-created 
a Baron  with  the  same  title,  and  also  Viscount  Cobham, 
with  remainder  to  his  sisters,  Hester  Grenville  and  Christian 
Lyttelton.  The  titles  subsequently,  through  Hester  Grenville, 
merged  in  the  Earldom  of  Temple,  and  Dukedom  of  Bucking- 
ham. 


CotoUng  Castle, 

IN  KENT. 

This  was  the  original  seat  of  the  Cobham s in  Kent,  and 
situate  in  the  parish  of  Cowling,  near  Rochester.  The  manor 
was  acquired  by  them  temp.  Henry  III,  1216-72,  and  the 
manor  house  was  erected  by  John  de  Cobham,  the  founder, 
temp.  Richard  II,  and  he  obtained  that  King’s  license  to 
crenellate  it,  2nd  February,  1380-1. 

“ It  was  of  large  size,  and  tbe  two  wards  or  courts,  cover  nearly  eight  acres 
of  ground,  and  considerable  remains  still  exist.  The  outer  gate  towers  are 
forty  feet  high,  and  the  gateway  altogether  fifty  feet  wide,  and  other  large 
portions  of  the  buildings,  and  flanking  towers,  attest  the  original  strength  and 
size  of  the  structure,  which  was  enclosed  by  a moat  fed  from  the  Thames.” 

It  seems  to  have  been  the  principal  residence  of  the  Cob- 
hams,  Joan  de  la  Pole,  the  grand-daughter  of  its  builder, 
appears  to  have  lived  here,  for  her  third  husband,  Sir  Nicholas 
Hawberk,  died  here  in  1407,  and  her  fourth  husband,  the  un- 
fortunate Sir  John  Oldcastle,  took  refuge  here,  until  arrested 
by  order  of  King  Henry  IV,  with  an  armed  force,  in  1413. 

But  the  most  remarkable  event  in  its  history  was — 

“Its  assault  and  capture  by  Sir  Thos.  Wyatt,  30th  January,  1554,  who  had 
married  the  sister  of  its  then  possessor,  George  Brook,  Lord  of  Cobham  and 
Cowling.  Wyatt  had  a large  force  with  him  with  artillery,  and  the  attack 
lasted  from  eleven  in  the  morning  until  five  in  the  afternoon,  when  Brook 
capitulated,  as  he  had  only  a few  men  of  whom  four  or  five  were  killed  and 
others  wounded.  Although  he  had  been  made  promise  to  join  Wyatt  the  next 


THE  CHANCEL,  COBHAM  CHURCH 


THE  QUADRANGLE,  COBHAM  COLLEGE 


The  Brook  Family. 


69 


day,  as  soon  as  Wyatt’s  back  was  turned,  Brook  despatched  a messenger  to 
Queen  Mary  giving  her  an  account  of  the  whole  affair,  superscribed  with  ‘ ha  fit, 
hast,  post  hast,  with  all  dylygence  possible,  for  the  lyfe,  for  the  lyfe ,’  for  well  he 
knew  the  jeopardy  of  his  relationship  to  Wyatt,  and  what  was  likely  to  be 
made  out  of  it.  It  did  not  avert  the  Queen’s  displeasure,  for  he  and  his  sons 
were  sent  to  the  Tower,  where  the  name  of  his  younger  son,  Thomas,  still  ap- 
pears carved  on  the  wall  of  the  Beauchamp  Tower — ‘ Thomas  Cobham,  1553’ — 
but  they  did  not  remain  long,  intercession  was  made  for  them  and  they  were 
released  in  March,  1553-4.  It  is  probable  Cowling  Castle  was  seldom  afterward 
occupied  as  a residence,  and  suffered  to  fall  to  decay.”  ( Waller). 

It  is  now  a ruin  of  considerable  size. 


Cobfjam  l£>all, 

AT  COBHAM,  IN  KENT. 

It  is  not  known  when  this  fine  structure  was  begun,  nor  the 
style  or  size  of  the  original  building.  Of  what  at  present 
appears,  it  is  probable  the  two  last  Brooks,  Barons  of  Cobham, 
erected  the  north  and  south  wings  between  1584  and  1603,  but 
Henry,  Lord  Cobham  apparently  never  completed  the  original 
house,  previous  to  his  attainder.  The  date  on  the  north  porch, 
shewn  in  the  engraving,  is  1594. 

On  13th  August,  1613,  James  I granted  to  his  relative, 
Ludovic  Stuart,  second  Duke  of  Lenox  and  Richmond,  ob. 
1624,  Cobham  Hall,  and  some  of  the  forfeited  estates.  James 
Stuart,  fourth  Duke  of  Lenox,  employed  Inigo  Jones  to  com- 
plete the  main  portion  of  the  structure  between  the  wings,  and 
was  probably  the  first  of  his  race  that  resided  within  it. 

Subsequently  it  descended  to  the  Earls  of  Darnley,  who 
made  important  additions  and  alterations  to  the  edifice,  finishing 
it  as  it  now  appears.  Built  of  red  brick  with  white  stone 
dressings,  the  array  of  large  windows,  flanking  turrets,  and  its 
great  size,  forms  a splendid  and  picturesque  structure,  sur- 
rounded by  an  extensive  park. 


70 


Papers , §*6*. 


i^entp  IBroofe, 

THE  LAST  LORD  OF  GORHAM. 

Although  the  story  of  his  misfortunes,  or  rather  tragedy  of 
fate,  that  waited  on  Henry  Brook,  tenth  and  last  of  the 
Barons  of  Cobh  am,  and  hereditary  possessor  of  Cobh  am  Hall, 
is  now  correctly  known  through  the  able  investigations  and 
research  of  Mr.  Waller,  from  whom  the  following  account  is 
derived,  a short  reference  to  them  here,  as  the  closing  scene 
of  the  Brooks,  and  connected  with  their  west-country  associa- 
tions may  not  be  out  of  place. 

“He  was  the  second  son  of  Sir  William  Brook,  ninth  Lord  Cobharn  (by 
Frances  Newton,  of  Harptree),  and  Maximilian  the  eldest  having  died  young, 
he  succeeded  to  the  barony  on  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1598-7,  being  then 
thirty-two  years  old.  No  one  could  have  entered  life  with  more  brilliant 
prospects.  In  his  blood  were  represented  many  noble  and  historic  names.  The 
vast  estates  of  the  family  had  been  constantly  on  the  increase,  and  an  addition 
had  been  made  to  them  by  Queen  Elizabeth  in  1564  of  St.  Augustine’s  Abbey, 
at  Canterbury.  At  her  Court,  indeed,  the  lords  of  Cobharn  were  in  high  favour, 
and  she  had  honoured  his  father,  Sir  William,  on  two  occasions  with  a visit  to 
Cobharn  Hall,  where  she  was  entertained  with  much  magnificence.  Without 
any  great  ability,  and  still  less  personal  character,  he  nevertheless  fell  in 
naturally,  as  it  were,  to  those  honours  which  his  ancestors  had  engaged.  In 
1597  he  was  made  Lord  Warden  of  the  Cinque  Ports,  an  office  of  much  impor- 
tance in  those  days.  He  was  installed  on  St.  Bartholomew’s  day  (1598)  at 
Canterbury,  “at  which  ceremonious  solemnitie  were  assembled  almost  4000 
horse,  and  he  kept  the  feast  very  magnificently,  and  spent  26  oxen  with  all 
provision  suitable  ” The  following  year  he  was  installed  Knight  of  the  Garter, 
as  his  father  and  grandfather  before  him,  and  here  his  honours  and  good  luck, 
seem  to  have  culminated.” 

Then  came  his  marriage,  and  with  it  arose  the  first  little 
cloud  in  the  golden  horizon  of  distinction  that  surrounded  him. 

“ So  great  a favourite  of  fortune,  and  yet  in  his  prime  of  youthful  manhood, 
it  will  not  be  a matter  of  wonder,  that  the  ladies  of  the  Court  considered  him 
as  a matrimonial  prize.  The  prize  fell  to  Frances,  daughter  of  Charles  Howard, 
Earl  of  Nottingham,  and  widow  of  Henry,  Earl  of  Kildare.  She  was  a warm- 
hearted woman,  but  of  strong  passions,  and  a violent  temper,  yet  there  is  no 
doubt  she  had  conceived  for  Lord  Cobharn  a powerful  affection.  It  did  not 
take  place  until  1601,  and  does  not  appear  to  have  been  one  of  good  omen,  for 
it  is  thus  alluded  to  in  a letter  of  the  time — ‘ The  Lord  Cobharn  hath  married 
the  Lady  of  Kildare,  but  I hear  of  no  great  agreement.’  It  was  not  a happy 
marriage,  but  the  union  was  destined  to  be  soon  abruptly  dissolved.” 

The  cloud  gradually,  but  at  last  surely  and  rapidly  spread, 
and  the  remainder  of  his  history  simply  becomes  one  of  mis- 
fortune and  misery. 


The  Brook  Family. 


71 


‘ ‘ In  this  age  of  Court  intrigue  and  political  plotting,  Lord  Cobham  and  Sir 
Walter  Raleigh  (who  had  been  his  father’s  friend)  took  the  same  side.  They 
were  both  the  enemies  of  the  unfortunate  Earl  of  Essex.  At  the  attack  upon 
Essex  House  in  1601,  Lord  Cobham  took  part,  and  afterwards  sat  as  one  of  his 
peers  at  the  trial,  little  thinking  then  how  soon  his  own  turn  was  to  come.  It 
is  extremely  probable  that  this  emnity  to  Essex  was  the  shadow  cast  before, 
a warning  to  the  event  fatal  to  himself.  Between  Essex  and  James  of  Scotland 
a warm  friendship  subsisted,  and  when  the  latter  ascended  the  throne  of 
England,  the  enemies  of  that  nobleman  soon  felt  his  displeasure.” 

The  last  and  great  misfortune  was  now  at  hand. 

“James  was  no  sooner  upon  the  throne  than  there  arose  those  plots  against 
him  which  to  comprehend  or  unravel  is  one  of  the  most  difficult  tasks  in 
English  history.  In  the  phraseology  of  the  time,  they  were  known  as  the 
Treasons  of  the  Bye  and  the  Main,  the  Priests’  Treason  (or  the  Surprising 
Treason)  and  the  Spanish  Treason.  It  was  the  Treason  of  the  Main,  or  Spanish 
Treason,  in  which  Lord  Cobham  and  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  are  said  to  have 
plotted,  and  if  we  are  to  believe  his  accusers,  the  latter  was  the  soul  of  the  con- 
spiracy. 

The  Priests’  Treason,  so  called  from  two  Catholic  priests,  Watson  and 
Clarke,  said  to  have  been  its  promoters,  was  to  surprise  the  person  of  the  King. 
In  this  George  Brook,  Lord  Cobham’s  brother,  Sir  Griffin  Markham,  and  Lord 
Grey  of  Wilton,  were  joint  actors/  and  Lord  Cobham  was  said  to  be  privy  to  it. 
As  before  mentioned,  Cobham  and  Raleigh  were  the  actors  in  the  Main  or 
Spanish  Treason.  These  unfortunate  men  were  tried  and  found  guilty,  and 
Raleigh’s  trial,  from  the  eminence  of  his  character,  and  also  from  the  able 
defence  which  he  made,  has  excited  mostly  the  attention  of  historians.  We 
cannot  rise  from  its  perusal  without  a sentiment  of  disgust,  and  a feeling  that  it 
remains  a blot  upon  our  history.  ” 

Then  came  the  punishment  awarded  these  unfortunate  men. 

“The  two  priests  suffered  the  extremity  of  the  law  with  all  its  attendant 
barbarities,  and  George  Brook,  his  brother,  was  beheaded  at  Winchester.” 

But  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  punishments  on  record, 
for  its  studied  cruelty,  was  that  practised  on  Lord  Cobham 
and  his  two  companions. 

“ The  Lords  Cobham  and  Grey,  and  Sir  Griffin  Markham,  were,  one  cold 
morning  in  .November,  1603,  brought  upon  the  scaffold  at  Winchester  Castle, 
Sir  Walter  Raleigh  looking  on  from  the  window  of  his  prison  ; and  after  being 
severally  played  with,  as  the  pike  when  hooked  by  the  angler,  with  the  bitter- 
ness of  death  before  their  eyes,  they  received  the  commutation  of  their  sentence. 
Those  who  have  read  James’s  letter  to  the  Council,  wherein  he  glorifies  himself 
on  his  royal  mercy,  and  have  also  read  the  narrative  of  an  eye  witness  of  the 
scene  enacted  on  the  scaffold,  will  understand  and  appreciate  his  character. 

We  have  now  to  state  their  fate.  Sir  Griffin  Markham  was  banished  the 
realm,  and  died  abroad.  The  young  Lord  Grey  died  after  eleven  years  con- 
finement in  the  Tower,  his  high  spirit  utterly  crushed.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh’s 
fate  is  well  known.  Posterity  will  ever  regard  his  execution  as  a crime. 

Henry  Brook  and  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  were  conducted  hack  to  the  Tower, 
16th  December,  1603,  and  henceforth  Lord  Cobham,  like  most  unfortunate 
men  condemned  to  imprisonment  for  life,  became  as  one  dead  to  the  outer 
world.” 

But  what  became  of  the  immense  Cobham  possessions,  of 


72 


Papers , Sfc. 


which  Olditch  and  Wey  croft  formed  a comparatively  small 
portion  ? These  of  course  were  all  confiscated,  although  there 
was  a difficulty  in  the  way,  and  a legal  one,  for  they  were  en- 
tailed— this  however  was  soon  surmounted  and  over-ridden  by 
cruel  subterfuge  and  other  despicable  means,  and  the  estates 
seized  and  distributed  by  the  magnanimous  James  to  his 
favourites  in  various  ways.  A strong  contrast  this  which 
befel  the  fate  of  the  possessions  of  the  last  Baron  of  Cobham, 
to  that  which  attended,  under  similar  circumstances,  the  pos- 
sessions of  the  first  Baron,  John  de  Cobham,  when  attainted 
in  the  reign  of  Richard  II,  sentenced  to  death,  as  a traitor, 
and  his  estates  confiscated.  Then,  as  previously  described,  in 
the  sentence  “there  was  a saving  of  entail,  showing  the 
jealousy  of  Parliament  over  estates  that  might  otherwise  pass 
into  the  hands  of  the  Crown.”  No  such  patriotic  caution 
appears  to  have  animated  the  government  of  James,  the 
sycophants  of  whose  Court  were  evidently  only  too  ready  to 
further  the  illegal  proceeding,  in  the  hope  afterward  to  share 
the  spoil. 

In  addition  to  this  confiscation,  all  his  honours  were  for- 
feited, and  to  complete  the  contumely  and  ruin  heaped  on  him 
he  was  “ degraded  ” from  being  a Knight  of  the  Garter,  and 
his  achievement  as  such  taken  down  and  cast  out  from  his  stall 
in  St.  George’s  Chapel,  Windsor,  16th  February,  1603-4. 

Henry  Cobham — for  he  was  a baron  no  longer — endured  his 
imprisonment  fifteen  years ; it  was  of  varying  degrees  of 
severity,  and  toward  the  end  of  the  time,  on  account  of  ill 
health,  he  was  allowed — 

“For  the  bettering  of  his  healthe  his  Majestie’s  leave  to  go  to  Bathe  attended 
by  his  keeper.  In  his  returne  being  as  he  conceved  thoroughly  cured  of  his 
maladie,  was  at  Hungerford  surprized  Mrith  a dead  palsey  ; from  thence  with 
difficulty  he  was  carried  alyve  unto  Odiam,  Sir  Edward  Moore's  house  (who  had 
married  his  sister,  Frances),  he  is  yett  livinge  but  nott  like  to  continew  many 
dayes.” 

This  was  in  September,  1617,  but  — 

“ From  this  attack  he  sufficiently  recovered  to  be  enabled  to  return  to  the 
Tower.  Soon  after  we  lose  all  trace  of  him  as  a living  man.  He  died  24th 
January,  1619.:’ 


DOORWAY,  COBHAM 


HALL. 


The  Brook  Family . 


73 


Where  was  he  buried  ? 

“At  Cobham  the  Registers  do  not  carry  us  back  so  far.  Those  in  the  Tower 
have  not  his  name.  He  was  therefore  not  buried  there.  Search  has  been  made 
at  Odiham  without  success,  and  at  Aldgate  also,  as  well  as  at  Trinity  Minories 
by  the  Tower,  but  no  entry  has  been  found.” 

And  what  of  the  wife  of  this  unhappy  prisoner  ? 

“Of  the  Lady  Kildare,  his  widow,  nothing  is  said  at  this  time  of  his  death. 
She  was  living  at  Cobham  Hall,  and  it  seems  as  if  she  took  no  notice  whatever 
of  the  unfortunate  man  who  was  her  husband,  and  in  whose  house  she  lived.” 

Burke  gives  the  further  following  description  of  him. 

“ Lord  Cobham  appears  to  have  been  not  many  degrees  removed  from  a fool, 
but  enjoying  the  favour  of  the  Queen,  he  was  a fitting  tool  in  the  hands  of  his 
more  wily  associates.  Upon  his  trial  he  was  dastardly  to  the  most  abject 
meanness. 

The  mode  of  bringing  the  prisoners  on  the  scaffold,  and  aggravating  their 
sufferings  with  momentary  expectation  of  their  catastrophe,  before  the  pre- 
intended pardon  was  produced,  was  a piece  of  management  and  contrivance  for 
which  King  James  was  by  the  sycophants  of  the  Court  very  highly  extolled, 
but  such  a course  was  universally  esteemed  the  pitiful  policy  of  a weak,  con- 
temptible mind. 

‘ On  this  occasion,’  says  Sir  Dudley  Carleton,  ‘ Cobham  who  was  now  to 
play  his  part  did  much  cozen  the  world,  for  he  came  to  the  scaffold  with  good 
assurance,  and  contempt  of  death.’  And  in  the  short  prayers  he  made,  so  out- 
prayed  the  company  which  helped  to  pray  with  him,  that  a stander-by  observed 
‘ that  he  had  a good  mouth  in  a cry,  but  nothing  single.’ 

After  they  were  remanded  (Sir  Dudley  says)  and  brought  back  on  the  scaffold, 
‘ they  looked  strange  on  one  another,  like  men  beheaded  and  met  again  in 
another  world.’  ” 

A pitiable  exhibition,  the  rightly-constituted  humane  mind 
shrinks  from  contemplating ; no  matter  what  kind  of  fool- 
knave  this  unfortunate  man  may  have  been.  It  has  been 
stated  that  he  died  in  a state  of  filth  for  lack  of  apparel  and 
linen,  and  in  such  abject  poverty,  wanting  the  common  neces- 
saries of  life.  This  has  been  proved  not  to  have  been  the  case, 
he  was  afforded  a moderate  sum,  payable  monthly,  during  his 
imprisonment,  enough  to  keep  him  fairly  comfortable,  and  he 
had  medical  attendance  during  his  illness.  It  is  probable  his 
death  occurred  outside  “the  verge  of  the  Tower,”  as  he  had 
petitioned  for  more  liberty  to  take  the  air  for  his  health  in  the 
J uly  previous  to  his  decease,  the  King’s  surgeon  to  certify  to 
his  weak  state.  It  was  also  stated  his  poor  paralyzed  frame 
remained  unburied  some  days  for  want  of  means.  But  this  is 
scarcely  probable  either,  for  his  assignee,  Lady  Burgh,  widow 


Vol.  XLI V (Third  Series,  Vol.  I V),  Part  II. 


k 


74 


Papers , Sfc. 


of  liis  brother,  George  Brook,  had  an  order  from  the  Treasury 
for  a considerable  sum  due  to  him,  the  day  after  his  decease. 
Where  was  his  rich  wife  at  this  final  scene  ? Of  her  we  hear 
nothing,  she  had  clearly  disowned  and  entirely  disassociated 
herself  from  him ; and  where  the  noble  outcast  died,  and  found 
his  last  resting-place  is  not  known. 

It  would  be  difficult  amid  the  whole  current  of  English 
history  to  find  a more  mournful  narrative;  and  of  surpassing 
interest  as  connected  with  the  last  possessorship  by  the  Brooks 
of  the  crumbling  fragment  of  ruin  at  Olditch,  the  original 
seat  of  his  ancestors,  and  text  of  our  story.  Both  have  be- 
come a sad  memory  only  glimmering  in  the  gloom  of  the  Past. 


IBlount, 

LAST  POSSESSOR  OF  OLDITCH  AND  WEYCROFT, 

EARL  OF  DEVON. 

The  cruel  attainder  of  Henry  Brook,  the  last  unfortunate 
Baron  of  Cobham,  and  consequent  confiscation  of  his  estates, 
took  place  in  1603,  and  that  “high  and  mychtie  prince*’ 
James  I,  in  1604,  gave  the  manors  of  Olditch  and  Weycroft 
to  one  of  his  favourites,  Charles  Blount,  eighth  Baron  Mount- 
joy  of  Thurveston,  in  Derbyshire,  who  in  the  year  previous, 
21st  July,  1603,  he  had  created  Earl  of  Devon  and  K.G. 

Lord  Mountjoy  was  the  second  of  the  “ interpolated  ” Earls 
of  Devon — the  hereditary  honour  of  the  Courtenays — but  an 
ill  fate  hung  over  their  creations,  for  Blount  held  it  barely 
three  years,  and  leaving  no  legitimate  issue,  the  title  became 
extinct  at  his  death,  3rd  April,  1606.  Tl\iq  first  was  Hum- 
plirey  Stafford,  of  Sutliwyke,  so  created  by  Edward  IV,  7th 
M ay,  1469,  after  that  monarch  had  given  him  “the  bulk  of 
the  estates”  forfeited  by  the  attainder  of  the  three  unfortunate 


From  a Drawing  by  W.  N etcher y. 


From  a Drawing  by  W,  Newbery. 


The  Brook  Family. 


75 


brothers,  Thomas,  Henry,  and  John  Courtenay,  successively 
Earls  of  Devon,  who,  within  nine  years,  lost  their  lives  on  the 
scaffold  and  battle  field,  fighting  for  the  house  of  Lancaster, 
and  whose  deaths  ended  the  first  descent  of  that  noble  family. 
But  for  Stafford’s  treachery  at  the  battle  of  Banbury,  only 
three  months  afterward,  “ by  diligent  enquiry  by  King  Ed- 
ward’s order,  he  was  found  at  Brent,  near  the  river  Axe  in 
Somersetshire,  and  carried  to  Bridgwater,  and  there  beheaded,” 
the  monks  of  Glastonbury  giving  him  sepulture  beneath  the 
central  tower  of  the  Abbey  Church. 

Why  Charles  Blount  chose  the  title  of  Earl  of  Devon,  was 
probably  also  in  part  connected  with  the  fate  of  the  above  un- 
fortunate Earls,  for  his  ancestor,  Walter  Blount,  first  Lord 
Mountjoy,  Lord  Treasurer  of  England,  and  K.G.,  ob.  1474, 
a staunch  adherent  of  Edward  IY,  “shared  largely  in  the 
confiscated  possessions  of  the  leading  Lancastrians,”  and 
among  others,  “particularly  those  of  Thomas  Courtenay,  Earl 
of  Devon,  obtaining  thereby  extensive  territorial  possessions 
in  Devon.” 

But  another  ancestor  of  his  was  further,  and  in  more  pleasant, 
relationship  connected,  similar  to  the  Cobhams,  with  the  Cour- 
tenays by  intermarriage. 

William  Blount,  fourth  Baron  Mountjoy,  ob.  1535,  grand- 
father of  Charles  Blount,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir 
William  Say,  and  by  her  had  one  daughter  Gertrude,  who 
was  the  second  wife  of  Henry  Courtenay,  Marquis  of  Exeter, 
beheaded  by  Henry  VIII,  in  1539,  she  narrowly  escaped  the 
same  fate,  and  afterward  resided  at  Great  Canford,  near  Poole, 
died  in  1558,  and  is  buried  within  the  presbytery  of  Wimborne 
Minster,  in  a tomb  of  Purbeck  marble,  with  traceried  panels, 
and  this  fragment  of  inscription  now  remaining — 

“ Coiijux  quondam  Henrici  Courteney , Marchionis  Exon , Sf 
Mater  Edwardi  Courteney  nuper  Co ” 

Edward  Courtenay,  Earl  of  Devon,  her  unfortunate  son,  a 
prisoner  almost  all  his  life,  died  at  Padua,  in  1566,  “not 


76 


Papers , Sfc. 


without  suspicion  of  poison,”  and  at  his  death  without  issue, 
the  then  elder  descent  of  the  Courtenays  became  extinct,  and 
the  title  of  Earl  of  Devon  passed  into  abeyance,  until  claimed 
and  allowed  to  William,  third  Viscount  Courtenay  of  the 
Powderham  descent,  15th  March,  1831. 

Charles  Blount  was  a person  of  high  military  reputation, 
and  had  a command  in  the  fleet  that  dispersed  the  Spanish 
Armada,  was  constituted  Governor  of  Portsmouth,  and  sub- 
sequently in  1597,  Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  and  in  1599  repulsed 
the  Spaniards  with  great  gallantry  at  Kinsale.  Camden  de- 
scribes him  as  being  “ so  eminent  for  valour  and  learning,  that 
in  those  respects  he  had  no  superior,  and  few  equals,”  and 
Moryson,  his  secretary,  writes,  “that  he  was  beautiful  in 
person  as  well  as  valiant,  and  learned  as  well  as  wise.”  But 
his  high  public  character,  and  all  these  accomplishments,  were 
tarnished  by  his  unfortunate  intrigue  with  Penelope,  daughter 
of  Walter  Devereux,  Earl  of  Essex,  and  wife  of  Robert,  third 
Lord  Rich,  and  first  Earl  of  Warwick,  ob.  1618,  by  whom  he 
had  several  illegitimate  children,  and  who  on  her  divorce  he 
subsequently  married  at  Wanstead,  in  Essex,  26th  December, 
1605.  William  Laud,  afterward  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
performing  the  ceremony. 

The  portrait  is  from  an  old  etching,  probably  of  contem- 
porary date.  The  crest  encircled  by  the  Garter  is  that  of 
Blount  : Within  the  Sun  in  splendour,  an  eye , proper . Below 
is  inscribed : Are  to  he  sold  by  Henry  Balam  in  Lombard  Street. 

Another  is  found  in  Lodge’s  Portraits,  sitting  in  a chair,  the 
face  in  profile,  from  a picture  in  the  possession  of  the  Duke  of 
Hamilton,  by  Juan  Pantoxana. 

Pole  says,  “he  conveyed  the  same  (Olditch)  unto  Mountjoy, 
his  base  supposed  son,  who  nowe  enjoy eth  the  same  ” — this 
was  Mountjoy  Blount  (one  of  his  children  by  Penelope  Rich) 
who  was  afterward  created,  in  1627,  Baron  Mountjoy  by 
James  I,  and  in  the  year  following  Earl  of  Newport  by 
Charles  I,  who  died  in  1665,  and  either  himself  or  one  of  his 


The  Brook  Family. 


77 


descendants,  sold  it  to  Mr.  John  Bowditch,  from  whom  it  was 
acquired  in  1714,  by  an  ancestor  of  Mr.  Bragge,  of  Sad- 
borough,  in  Thorncombe,  its  present  possessor.  Arms  of 
Blount,  Barry  nebulee  of  six , or  and  sable. 

Wgycroft  was  sold  by  Charles  Blount,  Earl  of  Devon,  ac- 
cording to  Pole  “unto  John  Bennet,  Sherif  of  London,  whose 
son  Mr.  Bennet  nowe  enjoyeth  it.”  He  disposed  of  the  manor 
in  parcels,  and  it  is  now  divided  among  various  owners. 

In  a social,  if  not  in  a political  aspect,  Charles  Blount  was 
as  great  a transgressor  as  the  hapless  man,  a large  portion  of 
whose  confiscated  possessions  he  did  not  hesitate  to  accept. 
And  it  proved  to  be  no  bar  in  that  unscrupulous  age,  to  the 
bestowal  of  an  Earldom  both  on  the  father  and  his  unhappily 
begotten  son,  nor  hinder  at  their  deaths,  the  burial  of  the 
elder  in  Westminster  Abbey,  and  the  younger  in  Christ 
Church  Cathedral,  Oxford.  But  Nemesis  appeared  at  their 
graves-side,  where  their  “ honours  ” perished  with  them. 

* * % -x  # * * 

So  concludes  our  little  history  of  the  knightly  Brooks,  and 
their  possessions  in  these  western  parts.  The  wayfarer,  who, 
carrying  within  his  memory  its  three  centuries  of  incident, 
regards  the  departed  importance  of  Weycroft,  and  views  on 
the  site  of  their  first  home,  the  solitary  ivy-clad  tower  at 
Olditch — sole  relic  of  its  former  dignity — standing  amid  the 
grass-grown  foundations,  over  which 

“ Stern  ruin’s  ploughshare  drives  elate,” 
and  joins  with  it  the  mournful  climax  that  extinguished  their 
honours  and  fame,  in  the  sad  fate  that  befel  their  last  heredi- 
tary possessor,  in  the  grander  surroundings  of  Cobham  : sees 
in  them  a striking  instance  of  the  instability  and  transitory 
character  of  the  belongings  to  human  life,  which  no  station 
can  shield,  nor  wealth  avert,  or  rescue  from  the  sentence  of 
doom  which  Time  pronounces  on  all  earthly  things. 


Papers , Sfc. 


7 8 

From  the  banks  of  the  Axe  our  step3  first  led  us  to  Olditch, 
and  having  completed  the  circuit  of  our  little  investigation, 
terminate  in  this  particular  at  Weycroft,  close  overlooking 
that  delightful  stream — home  of  the  speckled  trout,  haunt  of  the 
stately  heron,  the  flashing  kingfisher,  the  bounding  swallow — 
and  by  whose  ripe  we  return  to  the  place  from  whence  they 
first  set  out.  The  air  is  radiant  with  summer  sunshine,  the 
red  kine  are  dozing  and  dreaming  in  the  grateful  shadow  of 
the  tall  elms,  the  bee  and  butterfly  are  bustling  and  flickering 
among  the  reeds,  the  golden  iris,  the  purple  flags,  that  fringe 
its  margin,  and  all  is  contentment  and  peace.  Musingly  we 
ask,  who,  privileged  to  dwell  amid  these  pure  enjoyments, 
which  Nature  with  perennial  hand  spreads  so  bountifully,  that 
bring  no  care  or  alloy,  would,  listening  to  the  syren  voice  of 
ambition,  be  tempted  to  forsake  them  for  the  glamour  of 
Courts,  the  smiles  and  suspicions  of  Princes,  with,  as  we  have 
seen,  the  attendant  dangers  of  the  confiscator’s  hand,  the 
prison  door,  the  headsman’s  axe,  the  exile’s  fate,  an  unknown 
grave  ? 


LET  ME,  INGLORIOUS,  LOVE  THE  STREAMS  AND  WOODS. 


Cm  tfje  Inquisitiones  Post  a^ortem  for  Somerset 
from  J£>enrp  Eli  to  IRtcfjatO  EEC  (12X644B5). 


BY  EDWARD  ALEXANDER  FRY, 


T may  be  useful  to  those  who  have  not  had  much  experi- 


1 ence  in  early  genealogical  history  to  state  briefly*  what 
inquisitiones  post  mortem  were  and  wherein  lies  their  useful- 
ness to  us  in  these  latter  days. 

Inquisitiones  post  mortem  were  one  of  the  most  distinctive 
features  of  the  feudal  system  in  England  ; they  were  intro- 
duced in  the  reign  of  Henry  III,  about  1216,  and  continuing 
to  be  held  throughout  the  course  of  nearly  450  years  were 
only  formally  abolished  on  the  accession  of  Charles  II  to  the 
throne,  though  they  had  practically  ceased  to  be  taken  after 


1640, 


When  a person,  whether  male  or  female,  died  seized  of 
lands  in  capi.te , that  is  holding  them  from  the  Crown,  a writ 
was  issued  to  the  escheator  of  the  county  directing  that  an  in- 
quisition should  be  held  in  order  to  ascertain  of  what  lands  he 
died  seized,  of  whom  and  by  what  services  the  same  were  held, 
when  he  died,  and  who  was  his  next  heir.  If  the  heir  hap- 
pened to  be  a minor  the  lands  descending  to  him  were  held  in 

* Much  fuller  accounts  will  be  found  in  the  introduction  to  the  abstracts  of 
inquisitiones  published  in  “ Dorset  Records  ” and  in  various  genealogical  hand- 
books, as,  for  instance,  Sim’s  “Manual,”  p.  123  ; Rye’s  “ Records  and  Record 
Searching,”  p.  85;  Phillimore’s  “How  to  trace  the  History  of  a family,” 
p.  130  ; and  particularly  the  introduction  to  the  “ Calendarium  Genealogicum,” 
by  Roberts,  and  Mr.  Scargill- Bird’s  “ Guide  to  the  Public  Records,  ” p.  141. 


80 


Papers,  Sfc. 


ward  by  the  Crown  till  he  came  of  age.  The  wardship  was 
generally  a very  lucrative  business,  because  the  rents  and 
profits  of  the  estate  went  to  the  person  having  charge  of  the 
heir  till  his  coming  of  age,  so  that  wardships  were  frequently 
bought  from  the  Crown  for  large  sums  of  money. 

On  the  heir  attaining  his  majority  he  had  to  sue  out  his 
“ ousterlemain  ; ” in  other  words  he  had  to  obtain  delivery 
from  the  Crown  of  the  lands  for  which  he  was  in  ward  after 
first  proving  to  the  Court’s  satisfaction  that  he  was  of  age. 

As  may  be  expected  payments  of  a very  exacting  nature 
were  extorted  on  all  these  occasions  of  death,  proof  of  age, 
and  delivery  of  lands. 

It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  from  the  above  brief  outline,  that 
Inquisitiones  post  mortem  are  very  useful  to  genealogists  of 
the  present  day,  because  in  them  are  recorded  the  most  minute 
particulars  of  the  deceased’s  landed  property ; names  of 
manors  long  since  passed  out  of  existence,  field  names,  names 
of  tenants,  etc.,  etc.,  are  often  given,  likewise  many  interest- 
ing details  as  to  the  services  by  which  the  property  was  held. 
The  date  of  the  deceased’s  death,  the  heir’s  name,  relationship, 
and  age  at  time  of  his  predecessor’s  death  are  all  stated  on  the 
oath  of  twelve  men  appointed  as  a jury. 

Proceeding  now  to  a few  particulars  respecting  the  Calen- 
dar of  Inquisitiones  post  mortem  for  Somerset,  it  should  be 
remarked  that  in  1806  it  was  ordered  by  Parliament  that  a 
calendar  be  printed  of  the  inquisitiones  then  kept  in  the  Tower 
of  London,  but  since  that  date  deposited  in  the  Public  Record 
Office.  The  outcome  of  this  order  was  that  between  1806 
and  1828  four  large  folio  volumes  were  issued  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Commissioners  of  Public  Records,  covering  the 
period  between  the  reigns  of  Henry  III  and  Richard  III, 
which  volumes  may  be  consulted  in  most  of  the  public  lib- 
raries in  the  Kingdom. 

These  four  volumes  give  the  names  of  the  people  on  whose 


From  an  Old  Engraving. 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  81 

properties  the  inquisitiones  were  held  and  the  names  of  the 
manors,  etc.,  and  the  counties  in  which  they  are  situated,  but 
fail  to  give  any  further  information. 

As  a partial  remedy  for  these  omissions  there  appeared  in 
1865  two  volumes  entitled  “ Calendarium  Genealogicum,”  by 
Mr.  Charles  Roberts,  which,  for  the  reigns  of  Henry  III  and 
Edward  I,  gives  short  abstracts  of  the  inquisitiones,  stating 
the  heir  and  his  age  at  the  taking  of  the  inquisition,  and 
many  other  particulars  omitted  in  the  calendars  published  by 
the  Commissioners. 

It  was  a great  pity  the  “ Calendarium  Genealogicum  ” was 
not  carried  out  for  the  whole  of  the  period  covered  by  the 
official  calendar,  for  by  combining  the  two  one  might  have 
arrived  at  the  pith  of  all  the  inquisitiones  down  to  Richard  III, 
whereas  now  recourse  has  to  be  made  to  the  documents  them- 
selves for  any  inquisition  that  occurs  after  Edward  I. 

The  calendar  of  Somerset  inquisitiones  here  given  is  a com- 
pilation of  all  that  relate  to  this  county  from  the  four  volumes, 
with  such  corrections  and  additions  as  appear  in  the  copy 
kept  at  the  Public  Record  Office,  thus  rendering  it  more 
reliable  and  up-to-date. 

What  the  compiler  would  like  to  see  carried  out  by  degrees, 
is,  that  full  abstracts  in  English  of  these  valuable  documents 
should  be  made  as  far  as  Somerset  is  concerned,  when  many 
an  obscure  point  in  mediaeval  genealogies  would  be  cleared  up 
and  set  completely  at  rest.  With  a little  combination  by 
people  interested  in  these  subjects,  or  even  by  a small  sum  de- 
voted to  it  year  by  year  by  this  Society,  this  desirable  object 
could  in  course  of  time  be  effected,  and  thus  place  Somerset 
foremost  among  the  counties  having  materials  for  a history  of 
its  early  times. 

EDW.  ALEX.  FRY. 


Vol.  XLIV  (Third  Series,  Vol.IV),  Part  II. 


I 


82 


Papers , 8fc. 


Table  of  Regnal  Years. 


Henry  III  a.d.  1216—1272 


Edward  I 

„ II 
„ HI 


Richard  II 


j? 

55 

55 

55 


1272—1307 

1307—1327 

1327—1377 

1377—1399 


Henry  IV  a.d.  1399 — 1413 


55 

55 


Y 

VI 


Edward IY 


55 

55 

55 


55 


Richard  III 


1413—1422 

1422—1461 

1461—1483 

1483 

1483—1485 


Calendar  of  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for 
Somerset  from  Henry  III  to  Richard  III 
(1216—1485). 

This  calendar  is  not  confined  to  inquisitiones  post  mortem 
only  ; there  are  also  inquisitiones  ad  quod  damnum,  proofs  of 
age,  documents  dealing  with  the  properties  of  lunatics  and 
idiots,  fugitives  and  felons,  inquisitiones  taken  on  special  occa- 
sions, as,  for  instance,  to  ascertain  boundaries,  rights  to  hold 
fairs,  markets,  fisheries  and  ferries,  or  to  inquire  into  tithes, 
common  of  pasture,  and  free  warren. 

In  many  of  the  years  in  Edward  Ill’s  reign  there  are  two 
series  of  numbers  to  the  inquisitiones,  the  second  of  which  are 
called  44  2nd  numbers.”  They  are  identified  in  this  calendar 
by  an  asterisk,*  and  when  applying  for  a document  thus 
marked,  care  should  always  be  taken  to  add  the  words  44  2nd 
numbers.” 


The  King  (concerning  the  Honors  of  Babyngton,  \ 
Hardington,  Holcombe  and  Radestok,  l 
members  of  the  H undred  of  Kenmersdon)  J 
Concerning  the  manor  of  Horsington,  deest 
The  King,  Inquis.  ad  inquirend .,  (concerning  | 
Kingeswere  fishery.)  j 

The  King,  Inquis.  ad  inquirend .,  (concerning  the 
manors  of  Bishopestone,  Clonewurde, 
Cruche,  Cymoch,  Gerlintone,  and  Tyn- 
tehale.)  ' 


11  Edw.  I,  56 

8 Edw.  II,  66 
27  Edw.  Ill,  75 

7 Rich.  II,  111 


On  the  Inquisition es  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


83 


The  King,  Inquis.  ad  inquirend.,  (concerning  the 
manor  of  Spacheton,  etc.) 

The  King  (concerning  the  manors  of  Chilton 
Cauntelowe,  Hardington,  etc.) 


1st  part 

15  Rich.  II,  118 
3 Hen.  IY,  66 


Abbadam,  John,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife  27  Edw.  I,  132 

Abbotsbury,  Abbottesbury,  Abbot  of.  Inq.  ad  q.d.  17  Hen.  YI,  63 
,,  Abbodesbury,  Abbot  of,  pro  John  de  Brudeport 

3 Edw.  Ill,  11* 

„ Abrodesbury  Abbey,  per  Thomas  de  Luda 

and  Alianora,  his  wife.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  242 
Abergavenny  see  Bergevenny. 

Abroghton,  John,  sen.  app.  8 Hen.  VII,  1 

Achard,  Thomas,  see  Luscote,  Joan. 

,,  Thomas,  kin  and  heir  of  Johannis  de  Knovill’ 


32  Edw.  Ill,  56 

Acre,  Walter  del  36  Hen.  Ill,  32 

Acton,  John  de,  and  Sibilla,  his  wife  6 Edw.  II,  55 

,,  Richard  de,  chev.  pro  Priory  of  Mnnechene  Barowe 

35  Edw.  Ill,  20* 

,,  Richard  de,  miles,  pro  Abbey  of  Glastonbury 

38  Edw.  Ill,  46* 

„ Richard  de,  pro  Priory  of  Barouwe  44  Edw.  Ill,  46* 

Adymot,  Robert,  see  Braunche. 

Albemarl,  Albamarl,  William 

„ Albamarlia,  William  de 
Albiniaco,  William  de 
„ Phillip 

„ Ralph  de 

,,  Albinyaco,  Philip  de 

„ Elias  de 

„ Elie,  see  Heyle,  John 

,,  Ralph,  son  and  heir  of  Elias  de 

„ Elie  de,  John  de  Holte,  de  herede  de 
Albe  Aule,  Priory  of,  Tvelchester,  see  Bryen  Guido. 

Aldham,  Francis  de 

Alvardeston,  Parson  of,  see  Daumerle,  Wm. 


17  Edw.  I,  22 
1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  5 
Inq.  manca,  13  Edw.  I,  1 

19  Edw.  I,  23 

20  Edw.  I,  27 
22  Edw.  I,  38 
33  Edw.  I,  81 

3 Edw.  II,  4 
11  Edw.  II,  53 
14  Edw.  II,  21 

1 Edw.  Ill,  7 


84 


Papers , 8fc. 


Alwy,  Walter 

Amorey,  Gilbert,  pro  Abbey  of  Kaynesham. 


5 Edw.  II,  24 
Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

34  Edw.  I,  129 

Amori,  Gilbert,  of  Keynesham,  pro  Abbey  of 


Keynesham.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

An  dr  ewe,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John,  arm. 
Appulton,  Robert,  gen. 

Archiaco,  Adomar  de 
Arthur,  Richard 

Arundell,  Richard,  Earl  of,  see  Bohun,  Humfrey. 

„ Thomas 
„ Edmund  de,  miles 
,,  John  de,  miles,  and  Alianor,  his  wife 

„ Richard,  Earl  of 

„ Richard,  Earl  of,  and  Phillippa,  his  wife 


33  Edw.  I,  225 
1 Hen  VI,  22 
app.  13  Hen.  VIII,  4 
7 Edw.  II,  50 
21  Edw.  IV,  17 

12  Edw.  Ill,  10 
48  Edw.  Ill,  9* 
3 Rich.  II,  1 
6 Rich.  II,  159 
21  Rich.  II,  2 

,,  Richard,  Earl  of  extra  bundle,  21  Rich.  II,  5g 

„ Alianora,  wife  of  John  6 Hen.  IV,  31 

„ John,  Earl  of  13  Hen.  VI,  37 

,,  Matilda,  wife  of  John,  Earl  of  15  Hen.  VI,  39 

„ Catherine,  formerly  wife  of  Roger  Leukenou 

19  Edw.  IV,  47 

„ Joan,  wife  of  Nicholas,  of  Trerishe  22  Edw.  IV,  48 

Asschlonde,  John  de  6 Edw.  II,  52a 

Asseleg,  Walter  de  40  Hen.  Ill,  55 

Assheton,  Robert  de,  chev.  7 Rich.  II,  5 

Asthorp,  William,  chev.  1 Hen.  IV,  44 

Athelney,  Abbot  of,  see  Hayt,  Henry. 

„ Abbey  of,  see  Beauchamp,  John. 

,,  Athelygneye,  Abbot  of,  see  Sydenham,  Richard. 

„ Athelyngye,  Abbey  of.  Inq . ad  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  144 

„ Abbot  of,  placita,  7 Rich  II,  157 

Atte  Berough,  Peter,  pro  Chapel  in  Holy  Cross,  Temple 

Church,  Bristol.  2nd  part,  15  Rich.  II,  80 

Atte  Forde,  Valentine,  pro  Cecilia  Turbervile  43  Edw.  Ill,  55* 
„ ,,  chaplin  45  Edw.  Ill,  33* 

Atte  Hull,  Christina,  wife  of  John  9 Hen.  IV,  37 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


85 


Atte  Hull,  Nicholas,  son  of  John  and  Cristina, 

probatio  etatis  2 Hen.  V,  56 

„ Nicholas,  son  of  John  2 Hen.  V,  56 

Atte  Lode,  Hugh  Jelo  34  Edw.  I,  85 

„ Thomas,  and  Simon  Michel,  placita  8 Rich.  II,  104 

Atte  Mulle,  John,  and  Matilda,  and  John  de  Blakenale 

18  Edw.  Ill,  3* 

Atte  Ree,  Thomas  and  Alena  33  Edw.  III.  54* 

Atte  Zerde,  John,  felo  4 Rich.  II,  85 

Atton,  John  de,  pro  Abbey  of  St.  Augustine’s,  Bristol 

32  Edw.  Ill,  28* 

Aubyne,  Ralph  de,  chev.,  feoftavit  Ralph  de  Aubyne 

20  Edw.  Ill,  29* 

Audeham,  Thomas  de  4 Edw.  I,  45 

Audley,  Nicholas,  Lord,  see  Hillary,  Margaret. 

„ Audele,  James  de.  Inquis.  de  vnlore  maner ’ 27  Edw.  Ill,  38 
,,  Audeley,  James  de,  of  Heley,  chev.  9 Rich.  II,  1 

„ Audelegh,  Nicholas  de,  chev.,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife 

1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  1 
,,  „ Elizabeth,  wife  of  Nicholas,  mil.  17  Rich.  II,  75 

,,  Audeley,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Nicholas  de,  chev. 

2 Hen.  IV,  56 

,,  „ ,,  wife  of  John  Tucketmil 

null  ten.  terr.  25  Hen.  VI,  33 
Auno,  Godfrey  de  43  Hen.  Ill,  2 

,,  Aunoh,  Godfrey  de  Uncertain,  Hen.  III.  252 

Averenges,  John  de  42  Hen.  Ill,  12 

Baa,  see  Bath. 

Badelesmere,  Giles,  and  Elizabeth,  see  Despenser. 

Bagge,  Cecilia,  and  Robert,  see  Blaunchesale,  Prioress  of. 
Baggeworth,  John  de,  see  Keynsham  Abbey. 

Baillif,  William,  jun.  49  Edw.  Ill,  76 

Bakeler,  John,  and  Sibilla  30  Edw.  Ill,  48* 

Baker,  Thomas  47  Edw.  Ill,  49* 

Bakhous,  John,  and  Alice,  per  Botreaux,  William,  sen. 

14  Rich.  II,  75 


86 


Papers , fyc. 


Ball,  Thomas,  of  Balles-Heyes  20  Rich.  II,  59 

Balon,  John  5 Hen.  V,  44 

Banastre,  William  19  Rich.  II,  6 

Bardeye,  Thomas  de,  of  Bristol  24  Edw.  I,  44 

Barbe,  Thomas,  appreciacione  terrarum  13  Rich.  II,  77 

Barouwe,  Priory  of,  see  Acton,  Richard  de. 

Barre,  Joan,  widow  2 Rich.  Ill,  10 

Barun,  Walter  35  Edw.  I,  1 

Bar  we,  William,  and  William  Brewere,  pro  Priory  of  Bruton 

7 Rich.  II,  106 

Basset,  John,  pro  Prior  de  Bath  32  Edw.  I,  133 

„ Edmund  4 Edw.  IT,  41 

,,  Alice,  d.  and  h.  John  B.  5 Rich.  II,  8 

„ John  6 Rich.  II,  16 

„ John  7 Rich.  II,  166 

,,  Bassett,  John,  son  of  Simon,  chev.  13  Rich.  II,  4 

,,  John,  father  of  Margaret,  wife  of  Walter  Broun 

21  Rich.  II,  105 

Basyng,  Gilbert,  and  Sibilla,  his  wife  16  Hen.  YI,  45 

Bath  (Baa),  Prior  of,  see  Dudmerton,  John  de. 

„ Osbert  de  24  Edw.  I,  49 

,,  Reginald  de  39  Hen.  Ill,  22 

,,  Bishop  of,  see  Harewelle,  John  de. 

„ House  of  the  King  there,  breve  tantum.  51  Hen.  Ill,  57 

,,  Priory  of,  see  Forde,  Henry  de. 

,,  „ see  Forde,  Thomas  de. 

„ Prior  of,  see  Rodeneye,  Walter  de. 

,,  Priory  of,  see  Yynour,  William. 

„ Prior  de,  John  Basset,  pro  32  Edw.  I,  133 

„ Priory,  per  Peter  Fil.  Robert.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  231 

,,  „ per  Bp.  of  Bath  and  Wells.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

33  Edw.  I,  240 

„ ,,  per  John  Sheot  13  Rich.  II,  122 

,,  „ per  William  Botreaux,  mil.  38  and  39  Hen.  YI,  61 

Bathe,  Robert  5 Hen.  VI,  62 

Bathon,  William  de,  chew,  and  John  de  4 Edw.  Ill,  29* 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


87 


Bath  and  Wells,  Bishop  of,  see  Harwell,  John. 

„ Bishop  of,  see  Rodeney,  Walter  de. 

„ Bishop  of,  and  Joan  de  Lideyard  9 Edw.  I,  80 

„ Robert  Burnell,  Bp.  of  21  Edw.  I,  50 

,,  Bishop  of  30  Edw.  1,  34 

„ Walter,  Bp.  of,  pro  Richard  de  Rodeney e, 

and  Lucy,  his  wife  32  Edw.  I,  99 

„ Bp.  of,  pro  Bath  Priory.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

33  Edw.  I,  240 

„ Walter,  Bishop  of,  pro  decan’  of  St.  Andrew’s 

church,  Wells.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  34  Edw.  I,  179 
„ Bishop  of,  John  de  Drokensford  3 Edw.  Ill,  41 

,,  Bishop  of,  Ralph  22  Edw.  Ill,  69* 

„ Ralph,  Bishop  of  32  Edw.  Ill,  36* 

„ Ralph,  Bishop  of,  pro  William  and 

Margaret  le  Bole  37  Edw.  Ill,  20* 

,,  John,  Bishop  of  45  Edw.  Ill,  66* 

Baudryp,  Adam  28  Edw.  I,  97 

Baumfeld,  Walter,  arm.  18  Edw.  IV,  32 

Bavaria,  Matilda,  wife  of  William,  Duke  of  Bavaria,  daughter 
and  heir  of  Henry,  Duke  of  Lancaster 

1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  37 
Baynton,  Beynton,  John,  mil.  5 Edw.  IV,  30 

„ Robert,  of  Farleston,  mil.  attainted  15  Edw.  IV,  43 
Bays,  Robert,  clericus,  appreciation  terrarum  7 Rich.  II,  89 

Beauchamp,  William  de,  see  Gournay,  Matthew  de 
„ John  de,  see  Meriet,  John. 

,,  John,  see  Scoland,  Franco  de. 

„ John  de,  see  Seymor,  Cecilia. 

„ John,  see  Cecilia  Turbervile. 

„ Bello  Campo,  John  de  12  Edw.  I,  30 

„ John  de  14  Edw.  I,  25 

„ John  de,  pro  CapelF  de  S.  Nich’  de  Stoke 

super  Hameldon.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  30  Edw.  I,  72 
,,  Cecilia  de  14  Edw.  II,  38 

„ John  de  10  Edw.  Ill,  42 

„ John,  and  Margaret  17  Edw.  Ill,  58 


88 


Papers,  fyc. 


Beauchamp,  John,  son  and  heir  of  John,  of  Somerset, 

probatio  cetatis  24  Edw.  Ill,  135 

„ John,  of  Somerset  26  Edw.  Ill,  30* 

„ William  de  29  Edw.  Ill,  24 

„ Margaret,  wife  of  John  de  1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  35 

„ John  1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  36 

„ William,  chev.,  pro  Matthew  de  Gourney 

48  Edw.  Ill,  7* 

„ John  de,  of  Lillisdon,  chev.,  pro  Abbot  of 

Athelney  6 Rich.  II,  156 

,,  William,  arm.  7 Hen.  Y,  61 

,,  Richard  de,  Earl  of  Warwick  17  Hen,  YI,  54 

,,  Isabella,  formerly  Countess  of  Warwick  18  Hen.  YI,  3 

„ Thomas,  mil.  22  Hen.  YI,  31 

,,  Henry  de,  Duke  of  Warwick  24  Hen.  YI,  43 

,,  Anna,  dau.  of  H.,  Duke  of  Warwick, 

messuages  in  Bristol  28  Hen.  YI,  33 

,,  Margaret,  wife  of  John,  arm.,  null  ten.  terr. 

37  Hen.  YI,  38 

Beauford,  see  Somerset,  Earls  of. 

,,  Henry,  s and  h.  of  John,  Earl  of  Somerset 

3 Hen.  YI,  18 

Beaumont,  Beaumonte,  Isabella,  wife  of  William,  arm. 

2 Hen.  YI,  28 

,,  Beaumond,  Thomas,  mil. 

„ William,  arm. 

,,  Beamont,  Philip 

Becket,  Richard,  arm. 

Bedford,  John,  duke  of 
Bel,  Robert Je 

Bello  Campo,  see  Beauchamp. 

Benet,  William,  Capellanus 

„ Thomas,  lands  of  John  Delyngton,  retinere  possit. 

5 Rich.  II,  89 

Benpine,  Margaret,  wife  of  Thomas  10  Hen.  IY,  23 

Bercham,  Isolda,  see  Clerc,  Isolda. 


29  Hen.  VI,  30 
32  Hen.  YI,  28 

13  Edw.  IY,  50 

14  Hen.  IY,  11 
14  Hen.  YI,  36 
40  Hen.  Ill,  18 

38  Edw.  Ill,  44* 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


89 


Bere,  Richard  de  la,  pro  Edmund  Everard,  parson  of 

Colstreworth  2 Edw.  Ill,  38* 

„ Richard  de  la  19  Edw.  Ill,  34 

Bergevenny,  Lord  of,  John  de  Hastynges  18  Edw.  II,  83 

Berkeley,  Berkelay,  Thomas  de,  pro  Prioress  of  Boclond 

Inq.  ad.  q.  d.  34  Edw.  I,  178 
„ Maurice  de  9 Edw.  I,  27 

„ Berkele,  Thomas  de  11  Edw.  I,  117 

„ John  de,  de  Erlyngham  14  Edw.  II,  24 

,,  Thomas  de  15  Edw.  II,  46 

,,  Maurice,  son  of  Thomas  de,  manca  1 Edw.  Ill,  54 

„ Berkele,  Thomas  de,  pro  Priory  of  St.  John 

of  Jerusalem  18  Edw.  HI,  5* 

,,  „ Thomas  de,  and  Katherine  of  Ule 

1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  11 
„ „ Thomas  de,  chev.  1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  12 

„ „ Thomas  1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  124 

„ Berkle,  Maurice,  son  of  Thomas  de,  chev.  42  Edw.  Ill,  12 

„ Catherine,  wife  of  Thomas  de,  chev.  9 Rich.  II,  10 

„ Berkele,  Catherine,  wife  of  Thos.  de,  mil.  12  Rich  II,  160 
„ Elizabeth,  wife  of  Maurice,  chev.  13  Rich.  II,  1 

„ Cecilia,  wife  of  Nicholas  de,  chev.  17  Rich.  II,  5 

„ Maurice  de,  inquis.  ad  inquirend.  18  Rich.  II,  109 

„ Berkelee,  Thomas  de,  chev.,  and  Margaret,  his  wife 

5 Hen.  Y,  50 

„ Maurice  de,  chev.  1 Hen.  YI,  23 

,,  John,  chev.  6 Hen.  YI,  50 

„ Maurice,  of  Beverston,  co.  Glouc.,  mil. 

38  and  39,  Hen.  VI,  57 

„ Maurice,  mil.,  of  IJlegh  4 Edw.  IY,  29 

„ Maurice,  of  Beverston,  mil  14  Edw.  IY,  41 

„ John,  arm.  19  Edw.  IY,  40 

Berkerolles,  William,  pro  Abbey  of  Clyve.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

20  Edw.  I,  108 

Berlegh,  Thomas,  and  James  Husse,  chev.,  placita  8 Rich.  II,  116 
Berliche,  prior  of  14  Rich.  II,  120 

Bermondseye,  Abbot  of,  de  placita  5 Hen.  Y,  60a 


Vol.  XLIV  (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


m 


90 


Papers , Sfc. 


Bersiles,  Besyles,  Mathias  24  Edw.  I,  2 

„ Elizabeth,  wife  of  Matthew  de  8 Edw.  II,  38 

,,  Besilles,  Thomas,  chev.  3 Rich.  II,  6 

„ Besyls,  John,  son  of  John,  s.  and  h.  of  Thomas,  chev. 

7 Rich.  II,  18 

,,  Catherine,  wife  of  Thomas  de,  chev. 

,,  Peter,  mil. 

„ Besyles,  Peter,  chev. 

,,  Besylys,  John,  null.  ten.  terr. 

Bettesthorne,  John 

,,  John  de,  pro  Chantry  of  Meere 

Bettevill,  William 
Bevyle,  Agnes,  wife  of  John,  arm. 

Bikcombe,  Hugh,  arm. 

Bikeley,  Bykeleye,  William  de 
„ Bikeleye,  William 

Bingham,  William  de 

„ Bynghara,  William  de 
Blakenale,  John  de,  see  Atte  Mulle,  John 
Blakett,  Margaret,  wife  of  John,  chev. 

Blaunchesale,  Prioress  and  nuns  of,  per  Bagge,  Cecilia, 

and  Robert,  her  son.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d.  9 Edw.  I,  79 
Bluet,  Joan,  see  Lovell,  Joan. 

,,  John,  arm. 

,,  Walter,  arm. 

Blund,  David  le 
„ John  de 
Blunt,  Edmund,  arm. 

„ Simon,  s.  and  h.  of  Edmund,  arm. 

Bochard,  Anne,  now  wife  of  Thomas  Latymer 
Boclond,  Abbess  of,  per  Thomas  de  Berkelay.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

34  Edw.  I,  178 

„ see  also  Bokeland. 

Bodecle,  Robert  Fromond,  parson  of  11  Rich.  II,  97 

Bodrugan,  Henry,  arm.  3 Edw.  IV,  39 

„ „ 4 Edw.  IV,  64 

5 Edw.  IV,  61 


7 Hen.  IV,  33 
3 Hen.  VI,  28 
14  Hen.  VI,  42 
37  Hen.  VI,  22 
22  Rich.  II,  6 
22  Rich.  II,  99 
18  Edw.  Ill,  45* 
20  Hen.  VI,  10 
38  and  39  Hen.  VI,  44 
13  Edw.  I,  15b 
35  Hen.  Ill,  49 

7 Edw.  II,  15 
30  Edw.  Ill,  28b,  60 

8 Hen.  V,  38 


3 Edw.  IV,  25 
21  Edw.  IV,  56 
17  Edw.  II,  53 
48  Hen.  Ill,  5 
8 Edw.  IV,  50 
16  Edw.  IV,  79 
3 Hen.  IV,  30 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset, 


91 


Bohun,  Alianora,  daughter  and  heir  of  Humphry  de, 
see  Gloucester,  Alianora 

„ of  Kilpeck,  Joan  de  1 Edw.  Ill,  81 

„ Humfrey  de,  Earl  of  Hereford  and  Essex, 
and  Joan,  his  wife,  dau.  of  Rich., 

Earl  of  Arundel  46  Edw.  Ill,  10 

„ Alianora,  daughter  of  Henry,  see  Gloucester, 

Duke  of,  Thomas  21  Rich.  II,  29 

Bokelond,  Thomas  de,  see  Meryet,  John. 

„ Boukeland,  Matilda,  wife  of  Thomas,  chev.  21  Rich.  II,  5 

,,  see  also  Boclond. 

Bole,  William  and  Margaret,  see  Bath  and  Wells,  Bishop  of. 

,,  Alice,  wife  of  Thomas  9 and  10  Edw.  IY.  36 

Bolevyle,  Nicholas  de,  chiv.  pro  Prior  of  Taunton  14  Edw.  Ill,  48* 
Boleyn,  Thomas,  and  John  Trevenaunt,  clerici,  pro 
Dean  and  Chapter  of  Cathedral  of 
Wells,  Inq.  ad  quod . dam..  27 — 33  Hen.  YI,  25 
Boneham,  Thomas,  arm.  13  Edw.  IY,  41 

Bonvil,  Bonevile,  Lady  Elizabeth,  see  Harington,  Elizabeth. 

,,  Bonville,  Elizabeth,  see  Stucle,  Elizabeth, 

„ ,,  Nicholas  48  Hen.  Ill,  37 

„ Bonevill,  Hawisia,  wife  of  Nicholas,  Also 


Inq.  p.  m.  of  said  Nicholas,  who  died 
first— said  Hawis  was  previously  wife 


of  Thomas  de  Pyne 

Boneville,  William,  for  Guido  de  Brian 
Bonevyle,  William 

Bone vy  11,  John,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife 
Bonvile,  William,  chev. 

,,  William,  son  of  Thomas 

Boneville,  Margaret,  wife  of  William 
Bonevile,  William,  arm. 

„ John,  arm. 

„ Alice,  wife  of  William,  chev.,  formerly 

wife  of  John  Rodenay,  chev.  4 Hen.  YJ,  34 

Boneville,  William,  mil.,  of  Chilton  1 Edw.  IY,  37 

„ Thomas,  arm.  6 Edw.  IY,  46 


23  Edw.  I,  44 
41  Edw.  Ill,  27* 
41  Edw.  Ill,  45* 
20  Rich.  II.,  11 
9 Hen.  IY,  42 
14  Hen.  IY,  12 
1 Hen.  Y,  34 
4 Hen.  YI,  9 
4 Hen.  YI,  19 


92 


Papers , Sfc. 


Bonvil,  Bonvyle,  John,  sen.,  arm.,  of  Dylyngton  1 Rich.  Ill,  17 


App.  9 Hen.  VII,  2 

16  Edw.  IV,  69 
3 Edw.  II,  42 

17  Edw.  IV,  25 
7 Hen.  V,  49 

6 Rich.  II,  15 
37  Edw.  Ill,  24 
31  Hen.  VI,  11 

7 Rich.  II,  13 


,,  Bonevyle,  John,  arm. 

Bonham,  Walter 
Bosco,  John  de 
Boteler,  John,  mil. 

,,  James,  Earl  of  Ormond 

,,  James,  Earl  of  Ormond 

.,  Alianor,  Countess  of  Ormond 

,,  James,  Earl  of 

„ Botiller,  James  le,  Earl  of  Ormond 

,,  ,,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  le,  Earl  of 

Ormond,  assignation  dotis  8 Rich.  II,  102 

„ „ Elizabeth,  wife  of  James,  Earl  of 

Ormond  13  Rich.  II,  5 

,,  ,,  John  of  Hoke,  attainted  12  Edw.  IV,  21 

Boter,  John  31  Edw.  Ill,  13* 

Botreaux,  William,  and  Elizabeth,  see  D’Aubeneye,  Ralph. 

„ Lord  of,  see  Stafford,  John. 

„ Reginald  de  20  Edw.  Ill,  7 

„ Botereux,  William  de  28  Edw.  Ill,  76 

,,  Botreux,  William,  chev.,  pro  Nicholas 

de  Cadebury  35  Edw.  Ill,  7* 

„ William  de  extenta  terrarum  5 Rich.  II.  71 

,,  William,  sen.,  chev.  pro  John  Bakhous 

and  Alice,  his  wife  14  Rich.  II,  75 

,,  William,  sen.,  chev.  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  6 

,,  William  de,  chev.,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife  18  Rich.  II,  5 

,,  William  chev.,  who  died  18  Rich.  II.  13  Hen.  IV,  17 

,,  William,  s.  and  h.  of  William  de  probatione 

etatis  13  Hen.  IV,  48 

,,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William,  mil.,  defunct  12  Hen,  VI,  24 

,,  William,  mil.,  pro  priory  of  Bath  38  and  39  Hen.  VI,  61 

„ William,  mil.  2 Edw.  IV,  15 

„ Margaret,  Lady,  wife  of  Robert  Hungerford 

18  Edw  IV,  40 

Boupoyne,  Thomas  5 Hen.  IV,  40 


Bourne,  Alice 


14  Edw.  IV,  9 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


93 


Boyl,  Nicholas,  Vicar  of  Redeclyve, 
Bradeneye,  Joachim  de 
„ Simon  de 

Bratton,  Peter 


Lyouns,  Thomas. 

17  Edw.  II.  50 
4 Edw.  Ill,  109* 
2nd  part,  16  Rich.  II,  37 


„ Thomas,  s.  and  h.  of  Peter  de,  probatio  etatis 

22  Rich.  II,  124 

„ Peter  de  2nd  part,  16  Rich.  II,  142 

„ Thomas  38  and  39  Hen.  VI.  37 

„ John  5 Edw.  IV,  1 

„ John,  son  of  Simon  6 Edw.  IV,  60 

Braunche,  Joan  8 Edw.  I,  1 

„ Andrew,  s.  and  h.  of  Nicholas,  probatio  etatis 

7 Edw.  Ill,  46 

„ Andrew,  chev.,  pro  Robert  Adymot  19  Edw.  Ill,  20* 
„ Andrew  2nd  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  98 

„ Thomas,  son  of  Andrew  34  Edw.  Ill,  58 

11  Rich.  II.,  80 


J ohn,  per  Philip  Bryene,  chev. 


10  Rich.  II,  124 
9 Hen.  V.,  25 


10  Edw.  I,  9 


7 Rich.  II,  106 


Brembill  (Brombill),  Agnes 
Brent,  Robert,  mil. 

Bret,  Ralph  le 

Brewere,  William,  and  William  Barwe,  pro  priory 
of  Bruton 

Brian,  Guido  de,  see  Boneville,  William. 

„ see  also  Bryen. 

Brice,  Richard,  and  Edith,  see  Erlegh,  John  de 
Bridgwater,  Hospital,  St.  John,  see  Redemore,  Henry  de. 

„ Hospital  of,  see  Redmore,  Henry. 

„ St.  John’s  Hospital,  see  Walsymgham,  John  de. 

,,  Hospital  of  St.  John,  see  Eitz  James,  Thomas. 

,,  Hospital,  St.  John,  see  Cadecote,  Thomas  de. 

„ Hospital  of  St.  John  Baptist  of.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d. 

12  Edw 


I,  64 


Master  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  John  at, 

acquired  from  Robert  Wigbere  1 Edw.  Ill,  106* 
Hospital  of  St.  John  Baptist  3 Rich.  II,  95 

St.  Mary’s  Church,  per  John  de  Sydenham 

2nd  part,  16  Rich.  II,  101 


94 


Papers , fyc. 


Bridport  (co.  Dorset),  Brudeport,  John  de,  see 
Abbotesbury,  Abbot  of. 

„ Brudeport,  William  de  2 Edw.  II,  74 

Bristol,  All  Saints,  see  Excestre,  Phillip  of.  20  Rich.  II,  67 

„ Bailly,  Richard,  chaplain  45  Edw.  Ill,  64* 

„ Mayor  of,  per  John  Barstable  18  Rich.  II,  70 

,,  Mayor  of  1st  part,  16  Rich.  II,  45 

,,  Inquis.  de  depretatione  navium  A Hen.  YI,  23 

,,  „ ad  inquirend.  libertatis  47  Edw.  Ill,  89* 

,,  ,,  de  custuma,  etc.  13  Edw.  I,  122 

,,  Carmelite  Brothers  of  Bristol,  per  John  de 

Villa  Torta  17  Edw.  I,  35 

,,  Gloucester  homines  liberi  fuerunt  theolonio 

apud  Bristol  Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  66 

,,  Gaunt  College,  Master  of,  for  a Chantry  in 

Bristol.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d.  30  Hen.  VII,  1 

,,  Holy  Cross  Chapel  in,  see  Atte  Berough,  Peter 

2nd  part,  15  Rich,  II,  80 
„ ,,  Chaplain  of,  see  Dyare,  Wm. 

2nd  part,  16  Rich.  II,  46 

„ Kalend,  De  statu  domus  priorat’  de.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d. 

18  Hen.  YI,  2 

„ Knights’  Templars  (Fratres  malicie  Templi)  37  Hen.  Ill,  38 
,,  St.  Augustine’s  Priory  (or  Abbey),  Henry, 

45  Edw.  Ill,  72* 
32  Edw.  Ill,  28* 
26  Edw.  Ill,  35* 


Presidens  de 

see  Atton,  John  de 
,,  Gornay,  John  de 


,,  ,,  Lyons,  Edmund 

„ ,,  Panes,  Richard 

St.  John’s  Church,  see  Cowely,  William 
„ „ „ Knyghton,  J ohn 

„ Hospital,  see  Burne,  Wm.de 


4 Edw.  Ill,  115* 
16  Edw.  II,  149 
13  Rich.  II,  83 
13  Rich.  II,  118 

32  Edw.  I,  141 

„ „ „ „ Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

33  Edw.  I,  196 

St.  Nicholas,  see  Wylkyns,  John,  sen.  6 Rich.  II,  137 

St.  Thomas,  see  Cheddre,  Robert  6 Rich.  II,  101 

„ ,,  Fortescue,  John.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d. 

38  Hen.  YI,  7 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


95 


Bristol,  Tenements,  etc,  in,  see  Bardeye,  Thomas  24  Edw.  I,  44 
„ „ Cannings,  William  8 Edw.  IY,  65 

,,  „ Gloucester,  Thomas,  Duke  of 

21  Kich.  II,  121 

„ ,,  Gyene,  Robert  27  Edw.  Ill,  52 

,,  „ London,  John  de 

App.  14  Edw.  Ill,  8 

„ ,,  Malverne,  Thomas  7 Hen.  V,  38b 

,,  „ Middleworth,  John  21  Rich  II,  77 

„ „ Say,  James,  Lord  of  29  Edw.  YI,  11 

,,  „ Thorp,  John  9 and  10  Edw.  IY,  13 

„ „ Warwick,  Anna,  dau.  of 


Henry,  Duke  of 

28  Hen.  YI,  33 

Britache,  John 

15  Edw.  I,  20 

Briwes,  Robert  de 

4 Edw.  I,  46 

„ Brywes,  John  de 

21  Edw.  I,  32 

Briweton,  Prior  of 

40  Hen.  Ill,  12 

Brok,  Nicholas,  pro  Abbey  of  Muchelney  2nd  part,  15  Rich  II,  35 

,,  Henry  de 

18  Edw.  II,  72 

Broke,  John,  son  of  Henry  de  la,  senior 

1 Edw.  Ill,  43 

Brombill,  see  Brembill. 

Brooke,  Broke,  John  le 

22  Edw.  Ill,  26 

„ Thomas,  chev. 

5 Hen.  Y,  54 

„ Joan,  wife  of  Thomas,  mil. 

15  Hen.  YI,  62 

„ Booke  (sic)  Thomas,  mil. 

17  Hen.  YI,  32 

„ Edward,  of  Cobham 

4 Edw.  IY,  26 

Broughton,  Phillippa,  wife  of  John  Dynham 

5 Edw.  IY,  18 

Broun,  Walter,  and  Margaret,  see  Basset,  John. 

Bruere,  Bruare,  Lady  Joan 

49  Hen.  Ill,  5 

„ Priory  of,  William  Michel,  pro.  Inq.  ad.  q.d.  19  Edw.  I,  36 

Brumpton,  Church  of  St.  Andrew,  per  Peter  de 

Deverey.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d. 

34  Edw.  I,  186 

Brunger,  Richard 

31  Edw.  Ill,  58 

Brut,  Walter  le 

4 Edw.  I,  22 

Bruton,  Priory  of,  see  Barwe,  William. 

„ „ „ Wellesegh,  Philip. 

„ „ „ Merston,  John  de. 


96 


Papers , fyc. 


20  Rich.  II,  8 
22  Rich.  II,  12 

21  Rich.  II,  4 
4 Rich.  II,  125 


41  Edw.  Ill,  37* 


Bruton,  Priory  of,  see  Mersshton. 

,,  Brueton,  Prior  of,  Thomas,  Bp.  of  Exeter,  pro. 

28  Edw.  I,  115 

Bryen,  Guido,  chev.,  pro  Priory  Albe  Aule  de  Ivelchester 

48  Edw.  Ill,  30* 

,,  Brian,  see  Boneville,  William 

,,  Bryene,  Guido  Miles  48  Edw.  Ill,  34* 

,,  ,,  Brien,  Philip,  chev.  10  Rich.  II,  7 

,,  ,,  Philip,  chev.,  pro  John  Braunche  11  Rich.  11,80 

„ ,,  Brien,  William,  chev. 

„ ,,  William,  chev. 

„ „ Joan,  wife  of  William,  chev., 

assignatione  dotis 

Brysford,  rector  of 
Buckland,  see  Boclond  and  Bokelond. 

Bukyngham,  Henry  de 
Bulbek,  John,  see  Thorne,  Henry. 

Bullesdon,  Thomas,  arm  13  Edw.  IV,  37 

Burcy,  Robert  deest  Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  5 

Bures,  John  de  24  Edw.  Ill,  101 

Burghershe,  Burgherssh,  Bartholomew,  sen.  29  Edw.  Ill,  44 
„ Barthol.,  see  Despenser,  Edward  de. 

Burgo,  John  de  3 Edw.  I.  66 

„ John  de  8 Edw.  I,  9 

Burne,  William  de,  pro  Master  of  St.  John’s  Hospital 

at  Bristol  32  Edw.  1, 141 

William  de,  pro  St.  John’s  Hospital,  Bristol. 

Inq.  ad  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  196 

„ William  de,  pro  Abbot  of  Glaston.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

34  Edw.  I,  207 

Burnell,  Philip 

„ Robert,  Bp.  of  Bath  and  Wells 
,,  Edward,  and  Alice,  his  wife 

„ Burnel,  Alice,  wife  of  Edward  mil. 

,,  „ Alina,  wife  of  Edward 

„ John 

„ Nicholas,  chev. 


22  Edw.  I,  45 
21  Edw.  I,  50 
9 Edw.  II,  67 
37,  Edw.  Ill,  14 
40  Edw.  Ill,  11 
48  Edw.  Ill,  4 
6 Rich.  II,  20 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset . 97 

Burnell,  Hugh,  chev.,  lord  of  Holgote  and  Weolegh  8 Hen.  Y,  1 1 G 
,j  Agnes,  widow  of  Tristram  19  Edw.  IY,  36 

Bush,  Ralph,  arm.,  breve  tantum  19  Hen.  YI,  1 

,,  Ralph,  arm.  20  Hen.  YI,  26 

Butler,  see  Boteler. 

Bygod,  Roger  le,  Earl  of  Norfolk,  and  Marshall  of 

England,  and  Alice,  his  wife  35  Edw.  I,  46 

Byrte,  John  18  Edw.  IY,  38 

Cadebury,  Nicholas  de,  see  Botreux,  William. 

Cade  cote,  Thomas  de,  magister  hospital  St.  John, 

Bridgewater,  tenere  possit.  5 Rich.  IT,  83 

Caille,  als  Keyle,  William  44  Edw.  Ill,  15 

Campo  Florido,  Matthew  de.  Inquis.  manca  and 

imperfecta  2 Edw.  II,  60 

Cannings,  William,  licenc.  dandi  ad  cantar.  in  Bristoll 

8 Edw.  IY,  65 

„ Canynges,  William,  of  Bristol  6 Edw.  IY,  57 

Cannington,  Prioress  of,  see  Fitzpayn,  Robert. 

,,  Priory,  see  Crosse,  Robert. 

Cantelo,  Emma,  a daughter  and  heir  of  John  de, 

probatio  etatis  29  Edw.  Ill,  69 

Canterbury,  see  Cauntebregg. 

„ John,  Archbp.  of,  see  Peytevyn  Walter. 

Cantilupe,  George  de  1 Edw.  I,  16 

,,  Cantilupo,  William  de  16  Edw.  I,  68 

Cappes,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Robert  13  Edw.  IY,  60 

,,  Robert  16  Edw.  IY,  13 

Carant,  Catherine,  wife  of  William  13  Edw.  IY,  30 

„ Carente,  William  22  Edw.  Ill,  27 

,,  William,  arm.  16  Edw.  IY,  46 

Carbonel,  Peter  2 Edw.  Ill,  35 

Carminowe,  Catherine,  wife  of  Thomas  de, 

assignatione  dotis  13  Rich.  II,  105 

Cary,  John,  see  Pontyngdon,  Thomas. 

„ Henry,  vicar  of  Lockyng,  and  Robert  Atte  Nye, 

pro  Prior  of  Worspryng  5 Edw.  Ill,  154* 

„ Thomas  30  Edw.  Ill,  37 


Vol.  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


98 


Papers , fyc. 


Cary,  Edmund 
„ Edmund 
„ John,  chev.,  forisfact. 

„ J ohn,  chaplain 

Catecote,  Walter 
Caucy,  Matilda 

Caudel,  Adam,  see  Redmore,  Henry. 

Caune,  Herbert  de 
Cauntebregg,  Matilda  de 
Cauntelo,  John  de 
Caunvyll,  JohD,  arm. 

Cauxe,  Walter 
Cave,  Philip 
Cayner,  Robert 

Cervington,  Servington,  William  de 
„ Oliver,  arm. 

„ Servyngton,  David,  arm. 

Chalcote,  William 

Chalers,  Matilda,  wife  of  John,  mil.,  defuncti 
Champernoun,  Richard,  son  of  Thomas,  kin  and 
heir  of  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Robert 
Herle,  probatio  etatis 
„ Campernoun,  Otto 

„ Champernoon,  Joan,  wife  of  Hugh,  arm. 

2 Edw.  IV,  13 

„ „ Hugh,  arm.  22  Edw.  IV,  32 

Champflour  (Chamfiour),  John  de,  feoffavit  Geofrey 

de  Wroxhale  19  Edw.  Ill,  40* 

„ John,  son  of  John  28  Edw.  Ill,  35* 

Champoins,  Henry  4 Edw.  IV,  8 

Chapei,  John,  and  Baldwin  Walvesford  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  67 
Charterhouse,  Priory  of,  per  Edmund,  Earl  of 
Cornwall.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

Chastelyn,  Thomas,  see  Wyke,  Joan. 

Chastillan,  Alanus  de 
Chaumbre,  John  de  la,  of  Whyttukkesmede 
Chebeseye,  William,  see  Courtenay,  Hugh  de,  jun. 


45  Edw.  Ill,  10 
1st  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  20 
11  Rich.  II,  136 
7 Hen.  VI,  52 

6 Hen.  IV,  8 
34  Edw.  Ill,  57 

34  Edw.  I,  143 
6 Edw.  Ill,  47 
1st  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  47 
29  Hen.  VI,  32 
19  Hen.  VI,  14 
11  Edw.  IV,  43 
22  Edw.  Ill,  6* 
39  Edw.  IIT,  39* 

7 Hen.  V,  45 
35  Hen.  VI,  5 

1 Rich.  Ill,  4 
11  Edw.  IV,  25 


40  Edw.  Ill,  83 
1 Hen.  VI,  44 


13  Edw.  I,  52 

17  Edw.  II,  2 
9 Edw.  II,  26 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


99 


tenements  in  Bristol 

50,  Edw.  Ill,  48* 

„ Cheddre,  Robert,  for  two  chaplains,  in 

St.  Thomas,  Bristol 

6 Rich.  II,  101 

„ Thomas,  arm. 

21  Hen.  VI,  55 

„ Chodder,  Isabella,  widow 

16  Edw.  I Y,  67 

Chediok,  John,  chev. 

3 Hen.  V,  58 

„ Chediocke,  John,  chev. 

1 Hen.  YI,  64 

„ Alianora,  wife  of  John,  mil.,  defunct 

12  Hen.  YT,  38 

„ Chidyoke,  John  de 

11  Rich.  II,  14 

„ Chediok,  John,  sen.,  miles 

12  Rich.  II,  10 

,,  Chydiok,  John,  mil. 

28  Hen.  YI,  26 

Chelworth,  Robert,  fatuus 

18  Edw.  IY,  20 

Cherleton  Makerell,  see  Horsy,  John. 

„ William  de 

4 Edw.  Ill,  30 

„ William  de,  pro  Priory  of  Bermundeseye 

24  Edw.  Ill,  38* 

Cheyny,  Nicholas  de,  and  Aiianora  his  wife 

20  Edw.  II,  51 

„ William,  chev. 

19  Edw.  Ill,  49 

„ Cheyne,  Edmundus  de,  fit  et  hcer.  Wm.  de 

Cheyne,  p robatio  cetatis 

21  Edw.  Ill,  83 

,,  William,  chev. 

8 Hen.  Y,  46 

„ Cecilia,  wife  of  William,  mil.,  and  Edmond,  mil. 

9 Hen.  YI,  42 

„ Cecilia,  daughter  and  heir  of  Edmond, 

mil. 

9 Hen.  YI,  53 

„ Margaret,  wife  of  William,  mil. 

21  Hen.  YI,  37 

Chichester,  Thomasia,  wife  of  John 

5 Hen.  IY,  36 

Childfrome,  see  Hardy,  John. 

Chiltenham,  Nicholas  de,  pro  Abbey  of  Kayneshan  34  Edw.  T,  96 

Chitterne,  John  de 

6 Edw.  Ill,  7 

Chodder,  see  Chedder. 

Choke,  Richard,  mil. 

1 Rich.  Ill,  40 

„ Chokke,  Margret,  widow  of  Richard 

2 Rich.  Ill,  38 

Chubbeworthe,  Robert  de 

7 Edw.  IK,  7 

Chubley,  Roger,  felo 

33  Hen.  Ill,  3 

Churchull,  John  de 

56  Hen.  Ill,  38 

100 


Papers , &fc. 


Chute,  Elizabeth,  see  Lorty,  John  de. 

Clare,  Richard  de,  Earl  of  Gloucester  and  Herts  47  Hen.  Ill,  34 
,,  Gilbert  de,  Earl  of  Gloucester  and  Hertford  24  Edw.  I,  107 
„ Joana,  wife  of  Gilbert  de,  Earl  of  Gloucester 

and  Hertford  35  Edw.  I,  47 

„ Gilbert  de,  Earl  of  Gloucester  and  Hertford  8 Edw.  II,  68 
Clarence,  Lionel,  Duke  of,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife 

1st  part,  43,  Edw.  Ill,  23 
,,  Margaret,  Duchess  of  18  Hen.  VI,  73 

,,  George,  Duke  of,  attainted,  and  Isabella, 


his  wife 


18,  Edw.  IV,  46  & 47 


Clerc,  Isolda,  daughter  and  heir  of  Peter  le,  wife  of 
Roger  Bercham 
Clevedon,  Richard 

,,  Clyvedon,  Edmund,  mil.,  see  Hogshawe, 

Edmund. 

,,  Clyvedon,  Matthew  de,  see  Dammory, 

Richard. 

,,  Clyvedon,  Richard  de 

„ ,,  Edmund  de 

,,  ,,  Richard,  extenta  terrarum 

Clive,  Abbot  of,  see  Pyron,  Hugh. 

„ Clyve,  Abbey  of,  William  Berkeroles,  pro. 

In.  ad.  q.  d. 

,,  Clyve  Abbey,  per  Gilbert  de  Wolavyngton. 

In.  ad.  q.  d. 

,,  Clyve,  Abbot  of 
Clopton,  Christiana,  wife  of  Richard 
Cobham,  John,  of  Blakeburgh,  chev. 

,,  Reginald,  sen.,  chev. 

Coffyn,  Emma  and  Isabella 

Cogan,  William,  chev.,  see  de  la  Haye,  William. 

„ John  de 

„ Thomas  de 

,,  Richard,  chev. 

„ William,  chev.,  and  Isabella,  his  wife 

„ John,  son  and  heir  of  William,  chev. 


5 Edw.  I,  57 
3 Rich.  II,  164 


49  Edw.  Ill,  77 

50  Edw.  ITI,  14 
5 Rich.  II,  70 


20  Edw.  I,  108 

27  Edw.  I,  82 
3 Edw.  Ill,  99* 
14  Hen.  IV,  13 
12  Rich.  II,  12 
4 Hen.  IV,  34 
51  Edw.  Ill,  7 

30  Edw.  I,  29 
8 Edw.  II,  60 
42  Edw.  Ill,  15 
6 Rich.  II.,  22 
12  Rich.  II,  9 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  101 


Cogan,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William,  mil. 

Coke,  Henry 

Coker,  Thomas  de,  pro  Prior  de  Monteacuto 
„ William 

„ Agnes,  wife  of  Robert 

,,  Robert  and  Michaela,  his  wife 

(This  is  entered  under  Robert  Derby, 
but  she  is  the  same  person  as  next 
entry.) 

,,  Michaela,  wife  of  Robert,  arm. 

Cole,  John,  and  Margery,  see  Erleigh.  John  de 
Colne,  Hugh  de 

Colshill,  Colshull,  John,  who  married  Elizabeth, 
a daughter  of  Edmond  Oheyne, 
mil.,  son  of  Cecilia,  wife  of 
William  Cheyney,  mil.,  probatio 
etatis. 

„ John,  mil. 

Columbariis,  Philip  de 
„ Philip  de 


8 Hen.  Y,  102 
15  Edw.  IY,  52 
28  Edw.  I,  137 
18  Edw.  Ill,  84* 


7 Hen.  Y, 
9 Hen.  Y, 


42 

49 


4 Hen.  YI,  38 


14  Edw.  Ill,  37* 


John  de.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

John  de 

Philip  de,  and  Alianora,  his  wife,  pro 
Lodowic  de  Kemmeys,  parson  of 


17  Hen.  YI,  70 
1 Rich.  Ill,  42 
46  Hen.  Ill,  12 
5 Edw.  I,  5 
27  Edw.  I,  71 
34  Edw.  I,  54 


Combe  Martin  1 Edw.  Ill,  82* 

„ Philip  de  16  Edw.  Ill,  50 

„ Alianora,  wife  of  Philip  16  Edw.  Ill,  51 

„ Philip  de  16  Hen.  YI,  58 

Cornwall,  Edmund,  Earl  of,  pro  Priory  of 

Charterhouse.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  13  Edw.  I,  52 

,,  Edmund,  Earl  of  28  Edw.  I,  44 

Corscombe,  Elias  de,  see  Wellislegh  Philip  de. 

Corston,  John,  pro  Abbey  of  Malmesbury  13  Rich.  II,  127 

Coumbe,  John  de,  chev.  45  Edw.  Ill,  12 

Courteney,  Curtenay,  John  de  2 Edw.  I,  27 

„ Hugh  de  20  Edw.  I,  38 

,,  Hugh  de  20  Edw.  I,  133 


102 


Papers , Sfc. 


Courteney,  Hugh  de,  jun.,  feoffavit  Robert  Pil 

and  William  Chebeseye  9 Edw.  Ill,  61* 

,,  Hugh  de,  Earl  of  Devon  14  Edw.  Ill,  27 

„ Thomas  de,  chev.  1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  48 

,,  Thomas  de,  chev.  39  Edw.  Ill,  48* 

„ Hugh  de,  son  and  heir  of  Thomas 

1st  part,  43  Edw.  Ill,  24 
„ Thomas  de  1st  part,  43  Edw.  HI,  70 

„ Emelina,  wife  of  Edward,  daughter 

and  heir  of  John  D’Aunay  45  Edw.  Ill,  15 

„ Elizabeth,  wife  of  Hugh  de  1st  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  27 

„ Hugh  de,  Earl  of  Devon  51  Edw.  Ill,  6 

,,  Hugh  de,  Earl  of  Devon  1 Rich.  II,  12 

,,  Margaret,  wife  of  Hugh  de,  Earl 

of  Devon  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  16 

„ Peter,  chev.  6 Hen.  IY,  38 

,,  Philip,  chev.  7 Hen.  IY,  51 

,,  Richard  3 Hen.  Y,  49 

,,  Cortney,  Edward,  Earl  of  Devon  7 Hen.  Y,  75 

„ Hugh,  Earl  of  Devon  10  Hen.  Y,  29b 

„ Richard,  Bishop  of  Norwich  3 Hen.  Y,  49 

,,  Hugh,  who  died  temp.  Henry  IY.  1 Hen.  YI,  63 

„ Hugh,  chev.  3 Hen.  YI,  30 

,,  Anna,  Countess  of  Devon  19  Hen.  YI,  40 

,,  Humphry,  mil.  35  Hen.  YI,  14 

„ Thomas,  Earl  of  Devon  36  Hen.  YI,  38 

„ Joan,  wife  of  Humphry,  mil.  1 Edw.  IY,  8 

„ Philip,  mil,  3 Edw.  IY,  29 

Coweley,  William,  pro  John  Knyghton  and  Richard 
de  Leycestre,  Chaplains  in  St.John’s 
church,  Bristol  13  Rich.  II,  83 

Craucumbe,  Simon  de  1st  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  1 

Crikelade,  Elizabeth,  traverse  6 Edw.  IY,  55 

Crikkad,  Elizabeth  5 Edw.  IY,  11 

Cristesham,  Nicholas,  pro  Thomas  Hore,  magistro 

burgi  de  Welles  18  Rich.  II,  97 

Crome,  John,  see  Wylkyns  John. 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for 

Somerset.  103 

Cropenhull,  Robert  and  Margaret,  of  Pen- 

delesford 

33  Edw.  Ill,  20* 

Crosse,  Robert,  parson  of  Spaxton,  pro  Priory 
of  Canyngton 

5 Rich.  II,  81 

Crukern,  Richard  de,  Chaplain 

33  Edw.  Ill,  23* 

„ Crokehorn,  John,  formerly  of  South 

Perot 

28  Hen.  VI,  17 

Cruket,  William  de 

7 Edw.  II,  35 

Cry  spy  n,  Joan,  wife  of  William 

13  Edw.  II,  24 

Cultura,  Juliana  de 

40  Hen.  Ill,  10 

Cuture,  Robert  de  la 

50  Hen.  Ill,  14 

Dammory,  John 

33  Edw.  I,  52 

,,  Richard 

4 Edw.  Ill,  13 

,,  Richard,  feoffavit  Matthew  Clyvedon  16  Edw.  Ill,  20* 

,,  Damory,  Peter,  felo  40  Edw.  Ill,  3* 

Dan  do,  or  Dauno,  see  Anno,  Godfrey. 

Dansey,  Daneseye,  Richard  (query  if  co.  Som.)  38  Hen.  Ill,  3 
„ Danteseye,  Richard,  pro  Priory  of  Henton  17  Edw.  I,  34 
„ Dauncy,  John,  chev.  20  Edw.  Ill,  33 

„ Thomas  18  Edw.  IV,  30 

Daubeney,  D’Aubeneye,  Ralph,  pro  William  de 
Botreaux,  and  Elizabeth,  his 
wife 

,,  D’Aubeneye,  Ralph,  feoffavit  Giles 

D’Aubeneye 

„ Daubenay,  Giles  and  Alianora,  his 

wife,  assignatio  dotis 
„ Giles,  chev. 

„ Alianora,  wife  of  Giles,  chev.,  assig- 
natio dotis  12  Rich.  II,  17 

„ Alianora,  wife  of  Giles  l Hen.  IV,  54 

„ Giles,  chev.  4 Hen.  IV,  23 

„ John,  son  and  heir  of  Giles  11  Hen.  IV,  42 

,,  Margaret,  wife  of  Giles,  chev.  8 Hen.  V,  83 

„ Giles,  mil.  24  Hen.  VI,  26 

„ Alice,  wife  of  John,  mil.  33  Hen.  VI,  20 


44  Edw.  Ill,  37* 

45  Edw.  Ill,  11* 

10  Rich.  II,  12 

11  Rich.  II,  20 


104 


Papers , §*c. 


Daubeney,  William,  arm.,  null.  ten.  terr.  1 Edw.  IY,  58 

Daubernonn,  John,  see  St.  Clair  John,  fil.  John. 

D’Aumarle,  William  and  Matilda,  his  wife  9 Edw.  Ill,  30 

„ D’Aumerle,  William,  feoffavit  Walter 

de  Kynewardesleye,  parson  of 
Alvardeston  6 Edw.  Ill,  29* 

Daunay,  D’Aunay,  John,  see  Courtenay,  Emilina. 

„ Nicholas  6 Edw.  Ill,  79* 

,,  Dauney,  Sibilla,  wife  of  John,  chev., 

assignatio  dotis  21  Edw.  Ill,  82 

Dauncey,  see  Dansev. 

David,  Henry,  vicar  of  Clonford,  pro  Abbey  of 

Keynesham  1st  part,  16  Rich.  II,  39 

Davillers,  Bathus,  fil.  John  5,  Edw.  Ill,  76 

De  la  Haye,  William,  tenuit  de  William  Cogan, 

chev.  6 Rich.  II,  95 

De  la  Lynde,  John  1 Edw.  I,  2 

„ Walter,  pro  Thomas  de  Lodelawe, 

delicencia  feofandi.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  25  Edw.  I,  53 
.,  Elias  and  Johanna,  his  wife  11  Rich.  II,  35 

De  la  Mare,  Robert,  inheritance  of  Nicholas  de 

Seymour  44  Edw.  Ill,  23 

,,  John,  chev.,  pro  Laurence  Watyssche, 

chaplain  of  Frome  1 Rich.  II,  125 

Delyngton,  John,  see  Benet,  Thomas. 

Dene,  Agnes,  wife  of  Adam  de  1st  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  32 

Denebaud,  Philip  30  Hen.  Ill,  8,  34 

„ Denebaude,  John  14  Rich.  II,  18 

Denebonde,  John,  son  and  heir  of  Thomas  44  Edw.  Ill,  84 

Derby,  John,  see  Mershton,  John  de 

„ John,  see  Sancto  Mauro,  Nicholas  de 
„ William,  chaplain,  pro  Abbey  of  Mucheleneye 

32,  Edw.  Ill,  58* 

„ Anicia,  wife  of  Stephen  8 Hen.  Y,  81 

„ Alice,  null.  ten.  terr.  38  and  39  Hen.  YI,  9 

Despenser,  Hugh  le  and  Elizabeth,  relict  of  Giles 

de  Badelesmere  2nd  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  169 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


105 


Despenser,  Edward  le,  chev , and  Elizabeth,  his  wife, 
daughter  and  heir  of  Bartholomew 
Burghershe  2nd  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  46 

Deverey,  Peter  de,  pro  Church  of  St.  Andrew’s, 

Brampton.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d.  34  Edw.  I,  186 

Devon,  Thomas,  Earl  of,  see  Moyle,  Walter. 

„ Earl  of,  see  Stafford,  Humphry. 

,,  Earl  of,  see  Courtney. 

Doddesham,  William  20  Edw.  IV,  78 

Dodington,  Dodyngton,  John,  sen.  22  Hen.  VI,  4 

„ John,  null.  ten.  terr.  2 Edw.  IV,  24 

„ Dodyngton,  Philip  1 Rich.  Ill,  7 

Dore,  Roger  and  Johanna,  his  wife,  see  Inge,  Johana. 

„ Roger  and  Joan,  feoffaverunt  Thomas  Knoel 

47  Edw.  Ill,  24* 

„ Joan,  wife  of  Roger  6 Rich.  II,  34 

Dorset,  Isabella,  wife  of  John  Nevill,  Marquis  of  17  Edw.  IV,  33 
Doumere,  John  de  ( vide  Rot.  Fin.  a°  18  Edw.  II, 

m.  5)  18  Edw,  II,  74 

Dourborgh,  Hugh  2 Rich.  II,  79 

Dovebande,  Thomas  1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  61 

Dray  cote,  Robert  de  21  Edw.  I,  23b 

„ John  de  1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  71 

„ Simon  1st  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  35 

Drokenesford,  John  de,  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells  3 Edw.  Ill,  41 
„ John  de  3 Edw.  Ill,  48* 

„ John  de  15  Edw.  Ill,  40 

„ Thomas  de  1st  part,  36  Edw.  Til,  54 


Dryfford,  Richard,  rector  of,  placita 
Dubbe,  Richard,  of  Horfy  (sic)  pro  Abbey  of 
Muchelnye.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 
Dudmerton,  John  de,  Chaplain  pro  Priory  of 
Baa.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 
Dunster,  Robert,  bailiff  of 
Durant,  Avelina 
„ Richard 

„ Duraunt,  Thomas 


6 Rich.  II,  113 

18  Edw.  I,  69 

5 Rich.  II,  104 
47  Edw.  Ill,  77* 
5 Edw.  IT,  58 

7 Edw.  Ill,  21 
2nd  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  146 


Vol  XL  I V ( Third  Series , Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


106 


Papers , $*c. 


4 Hen.  Y,  8 


5 Hen.  V,  70 


Durburgh,  John  de  26  Edw.  Ill,  48 

Durcote,  John 

„ Richard,  son  and  heir  of  John,  probatio 
etatis 

Durdent,  Nicholas  21  Edw.  I,  21 

Durneford,  William  de,  see  Faucumberge,  Matilda  de 
Durvill,  Eustace  de,  Jdo  8 Edw.  I,  70 

Dyare,  William,  pro  Chapel  of  Holy  Trinity,  Bristol 

2nd  part,  16  Rich.  II,  46 
Dynham,  Phillippa,  see  Broughton,  Phillippa. 

,,  Dyne  ham,  Oliver  27  Edw.  I,  42 

„ Joceus  de.  Also  assignment  of  dower  of 

Margaret,  widow  of  said  Joceus  29  Edw.  I,  56 
„ John  de,  pro  Matilda  de  Moleton  2 Edw.  Ill,  97* 

„ John  de 

„ Dyneham,  Margaret,  wife  of  John, 

assignatio  dotis 
„ Oliver  de 

„ Margaret,  wife  of  John  de 

„ J ohn  de,  mil. 


6 Edw.  Ill,  59 

6 Edw.  Ill,  82 
16  Edw.  Ill,  17 
App.  36  Edw.  Ill,  131 
6 Rich.  II,  28 

„ Dinham,  Matilda,  wife  of  John,  mil.  7 Hen.  IV,  24 

„ John,  mil.  7 Hen.  YI,  56 

„ John,  mil.  36  Hen.  YI,  39 

Echingham,  William.  (Chorlebery  manor,  co.  Surrey, 
in  calendar,  but  should  be  CheselV 
manor,  co.  Som.)  37  Hen.  III.  57 

Edington,  Edyndon,  Gilbert  de  1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  67 

,,  Edyngton,  Thomas  son  and  heir  of 
Gilbert,  probatio  etatis 

Edward,  John 


Elyndon,  Thomas  de 
Engayne,  Yital’ 

„ Henry 

Erie,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  de 
Erleigh,  Erlegh,  John  de 
„ Erleye,  John  de 


37  Edw.  Ill,  95 
19  Edw.  Ill,  4* 
5 Edw.  I,  8 
33  Hen.  Ill,  70 
54  Hen.  Ill,  46 
1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  77 
17  Edw.  II,  62 
11  Edw.  Ill,  11 


John,  son  and  heir  of  J ohn  de,  probatio  etatis  28  Edw.  Ill,  71 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  107 


Erleigh,  Erlegh,  John  de,  pro  John  Cole,  of  Bridg.]  44  Edw.  Ill,  42* 
water,  and  Margery  his  wife  j 45  Edw.  Ill,  9* 
„ „ John  de,  feoffavit  Rich.  Brice  and  Edith 

his  wife  45  Edw.  Ill,  17* 

Erlestoke,  Thomas,  parson  of  Fissherton,  pro  Priory 

of  Witham  1 Rich.  II,  89 

Essex  and  Hereford,  Earl  of,  see  Bohun,  Humfrey  de. 

Esheleye,  Walter  de  30  Hen.  Ill,  19 

Euerti,  Peter  de,  and  Isabella  his  wife  18  Edw.  II,  54 

Everard,  Edmund,  cler.,  see  Bere,  Richard  de  la,  and  Everard, 
William. 

„ William  7 Edw.  I,  5 

„ Edmund  15  Edw.  II,  43 

„ William  17  Edw.  Ill,  27 

„ William,  pro  Edmund  Everard,  parson  of 

Colstreworth  2 Edw.  Ill,  87* 

„ Edmund,  mil.  44  Edw.  Ill,  26 

,,  Patricius  50  Edw.  Ill,  40* 

Exeter,  Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Peter’s,  see  Stapeldone,  Thomas  de. 

„ Thomas,  Bp.  of,  pro  Prior  de  Brueton  28  Edw.  I,  115 

,,  Excestr.,  Philip,  of  Bristol,  pro  Vicar  of  All  Saints, 

Bristol  20  Rich.  II,  67 

„ John,  Duke  of  25  Hen.  VI,  25 

,,  Ann,  Duchess  of  36  Hen.  VI,  41 

,,  Anna,  Duchess  of,  sister  of  the  King,  subsequently 

wife  of  Thomas  Selenger  (St.  Leger),  arm. 

15  Edw.  IV,  36 

Fagg,  John  29  Edw.  I,  27 

„ Fag,  Mar  mad  uke  34  Edw.  Ill,  64 

Faucomberge,  Matilda,  wife  of  William  de 

1st  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  56 
,,  Matilda  de,  pro  William  de 

Durneford  7 Edw.  Ill,  58* 

Fauconer,  John  le  15  Edw.  Ill,  27 

,,  John  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  102 

Felde,  Richard  de  la  1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  80 

Fenlis,  John  de  5 Edw.  Ill,  29* 


108 


Papers , Sfc. 


C.  Hen.  YI,  32 
37  Hen.  Ill,  21 
1 Hen.  Y,  26 
14  Hen.  YI,  33 
28  Hen.  YI,  22 

Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  183 
27  Edw.  I,  101 
33  Edw.  Ill,  115* 


Fenys,  Margaret,  see  Hervey,  Margaret. 

Fermour,  Thomas,  pro  Abbey  of  Glastonbury, 

Inq.  ad.  quod  dam. 

Ferrers,  Joan  de 

,,  Robert,  chev. 

,,  Edmond,  of  Oharteleye,  mil. 

,,  William  de,  mil,  of  Charteley 

Fichet,  see  Fytchet. 

Fil.  Bernard!,  John 
Fil.  Galfrid  de  Rumesye,  John ,/atuus 
Fitz  Herberd,  Reginald 

,,  Edmund,  chev.,  and  Joan,  his  wife  10  Rich.  II,  18 

,,  Fitzherbert,  Reginald  le  20  Edw.  Ill,  48 

Fitz  James,  Thomas,  pro  Hospital  of  St.  John,  Bridgwater 

23  Edw.  Ill,  41* 

„ John  16  Edw.  IY,  35 

Fil.  John  le  Parker,  William,  pro  Priory  of  Loco  Dei 

of  Henton.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  256 

Fil.  Maurice,  Maurice  of  Berkle  21  Edw.  Ill,  51 

Fitz  Ours,  Ralph,  chev.  24  Edw.  Ill,  79 

Fil.  Pagani,  Robert  9 Edw.  I,  23 

,,  Robert,  and  Isabella  his  wife  9 Edw.  II,  63 

Fitz  Payn,  Robert  le,  licencia  feoffandi,  pro  John  de 

Maundevill.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  182 

„ Robert,  for  Prioress  of  Canyngton  6 Edw.  Ill,  94* 

„ Ela,  wife  of  Robert  30  Edw.  Ill,  14 

„ Robert,  and  Ela  his  wife  28  Edw.  Ill,  41 

„ Robert,  chev.  1st  part,  16  Rich.  II,  12 

Fil.  Peter,  Reginald  14  Edw.  I,  18 

„ Joan,  wife  of  Reginald,  de  lie.  feoffandi. 

pro  Petro  and  Reginaldo  filius 
Reginaldi  28  Edw.  I,  144 

„ Joan,  wife  of  Reginald,  [see  also  28  Edw.  I. 

168,  and  30  Edw.  I,  150]  31  Edw.  I,  99 

„ Reginald,  Joan  de  Yinonia,  wife  of  Eil. 

Reginald,  Peter  and  Reginald,  see 

Eil.  Peter,  John  8 Edw.  II,  42 


On  the  Tnquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  109 


Fil.  Reginaldi,  Peter 

„ Reginald 

Fitz  Reynaud,  Peter 

Fil.  Richard,  John  (Robertus  de  Muscegros) 
Fil.  Robert,  Peter,  pro  Bath  Priory 
Fil.  Roger,  Nicholas 

„ Henry,  pro  Thomas  de  Panes 


20  Edw.  II,  40 
2 Edw.  Ill,  40 
16  Edw.  II,  57 
35  Hen.  Ill,  40 
33  Edw.  I,  231 
46  Hen.  Ill,  9 
17  Edw.  Ill,  61* 


,,  Henry,  pro  Order  of  Brothers  of  Holy 

Cross,  near  the  Tower,  London  23  Edw.  Til.  29* 
„ Fil.  Rogger,  Henry,  and  Elizabeth  his 

wife  26  Edw.  Ill,  37 

,,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Henry,  mil.  11  Rich.  II,  25 

Fitz  Waryn,  William  1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  87 

„ Fulco,  chev.  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  23 

„ Fitz  Warin,  Fulco,  s.  and  h.  of  Fulco,  chev. 

9 Hen.  IY,  36 

„ Fitz  Wareyn,  Fulco  13  Hen.  IY,  44 

„ Anna,  wife  of  Fulco,  s.  and  h.  of  Fulco, 

assignatio  dotis  14  Hen.  IY,  20 

„ Ivo  2 Hen.  Y,  38 

„ Fitz  Warin,  Fulco,  and  Anna  his  wife  8 Hen.  Y,  106 

„ Fitz  Waren,  Fulco,  chev.,  Lord  Fitz  Waren 

19  Edw.  IY,  76 

Fitz  Wauter,  Phillippa,  see  York,  Phillippa,  Duchess  of. 
Fissherton,  parson  of,  see  Erlestoke,  Thomas. 

Fitelton,  John  14  Hen.  YI,  22 

Flemmyng,  William,  cler.,  see  Merland,  Henry. 

Flory,  Richard  de  3 Edw.  Ill,  92* 

„ Florye,  John  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  22 

„ John  18  Hen.  YI,  61 

Ford,  Adam  de  la,  pro  Capellano  de  la  Ford  33  Edw.  I,  105 

„ Capellano  de  la,  pro  Adam  de  la  Ford  33  Edw.  I,  105 

„ Forde,  Cristina,  wife  of  Adam  de  la  3 Edw.  Ill,  59 

,,  Forde-juxta-Bath,  Thomas  de,  pro  Priory  of  Bath 

21  Edw.  Ill,  66* 

„ „ Henry  de,  pro  Priory  of  Bath  25  Edw.  Ill,  56* 

Forneux,  John  de  9 Edw.  Ill,  19 


110 


Papers , Sfc. 


Fortescue,  John,  mil.,  pro  St.  Thomas,  Bristol. 

Inq.  ad  q.  dam.  38  Hen.  YI,  7 

Frances,  Nicholas,  arm.  21  Edw.  IV,  20 

Frankeleyn,  John  3 Rich.  II,  74 

Fraunceys,  Henry  35  Hen.  YI,  12 

Freebody,  William,  and  Clemencia  his  wife, 

assignatio  dotis.  11  Rich.  II,  24 

Frere,  Joan,  wife  of  Henry  le  1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  68 

Frome,  chaplain  of,  see  He  La  Mare,  Thomas. 

„ Reginald  de  (and  Margaret  his  wife) 

,,  Edith,  wife  of  Roger  de 
Fromond,  Robert, 

„ Robert,  parson  of  Bodecle. 

Frye,  William 

Fulford,  Baldwin,  mil,  null.  ten.  terr. 

Furneux,  Simon 

,,  Furneanx,  Simon  de 

Fychet,  Thomas,  chev.  pro  Abbey  of  Nyweham 
,,  Ricarda,  wife  of  Thomas,  chev. 


7 Edw.  Ill,  13* 
8 Hen.  Ill,  45 
11  Rich.  II,  55 
11  Rich.  II,  97 
20  Edw.  IV,  41 
1 Edw.  IY,  31 
deest  2 Edw.  HI,  149* 
33  Edw.  Ill,  19 
18  Edw.  Ill,  72* 
14  Rich.  II,  23 


„ Thomas,  chev.  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  21 

„ Fitchet,  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas,  chev.  19  Rich.  II,  24 
Fyenes,  William  de  30  Edw.  I,  33 

Fysers,  Matilda,  wife  of  Ralph,  mil.  12  Rich.  II,  19 

Galhampton,  (?)  see  Gylampton. 

Gardener,  Peter,  parson  of  Meriet,  pro  Dean  and 

Chapter  of  Wells  6 Rich.  II,  144 

G art  on,  John  fil.  Hugh  de,  see  Heyron,  Marg. 

„ John  de  1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  81 


,,  John  de,  of  Erith 

Gascoigne,  William 
Gatecoumbe,  William  de 
Gaunter,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John,  defunct 

Gayton,  Hugh 

Gerarde,  William,  null.  ten.  terr. 

Giffard,  Osbert,  and  Alice  Murdac 
„ Walter,  Archbishop  of  York 

Gilbert,  Gilbert,  and  Gylampton,  Thomas  for  Tholomeus  atte 

Riscin  and  others  46  Edw.  Ill,  43b* 


50  Edw.  Ill,  27 
1 Hen.  YI.  56 
32  Edw.  Ill,  71* 
14  Edw.  IY,  7 
17  Edw.  IY,  10 
22  Hen.  YI,  50 
31  Hen.  Ill,  41. 
7 Edw.  I,  22 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  Ill 


Gilbert,  Gylbert,  John  34  Hen.  VI,  6 

Glamorgan,  Peter,  pro  William  le  Wayte  27  Edw.  Ill,  36 

„ Nicholas  de  1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  82 

Glastonbury,  Abbot  of,  per  William  de  Burne. 

Inq.  ad.  q.  d.  34  Edw.  I,  207 

„ Abbey  of,  see  Fermour,  Thomas. 

,,  ,,  „ Middelworth,  John. 

„ Abbot  of,  see  Penbrugge,  Magr.  Hugh  de. 

„ „ per  John  and  Emma  de  Percy.  Inq. 

ad.  q.  d.  11  Edw.  I,  61 

„ „ see  Tilly,  William. 

„ „ „ Wambergh,  Robert  de  10  Edw.  II,  81 

„ „ ,,  Wanberghe,  Robert  de. 

„ Abbey  of.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d.  13  Edw.  I,  64 

„ Abbey,  per  William  Pasture!  Inq.  ad.  q.  d. 

33  Edw.  I,  208 

Gloucester,  Thomas,  Duke  of,  and  Alianora  his  wife,  dau. 

and  h.  of  Henry  de  Bohun,  Earl  of  Here- 
ford and  Essex  21  Rich.  II,  29 

,,  Thomas,  Duke  of,  null.  ten.  terr.  21  Rich.  II,  121 

„ Alianora,  wife  of  Thomas,  Duke  of,  dau.  and 

h.  of  Humphry  de  Bohun,  Earl  of  Hereford 

1 Hen.  IV,  50 


Gloucester  and  Hertford,  Earl  of,  see  Clare 
Godelee,  Hamelinus  de,  pro  decano  St.  Andrew, 
Wells 

„ Hamelinus  de,  pro  Dean  and  Chapter  to 
St.  Andrews,  Wells 
Godeslond,  John  de 

Godwyne,  William  de,  of  Muchelney,  pro  Abbott 
of  Muchelney e 
„ Godewyn,  William 

Goldclyve,  Prior  of 

„ Prior  of,  pro  Archid.  de  Taunton 

Gorges,  Ralph  de 

„ Theobald,  mi!  and  Agnes  his  wife. 
assignatio  dotis 


35  Edw.  I,  117 

4 Edw.  Ill,  74* 
47  Edw.  Ill,  14 

6 Edw.  Ill,  100* 
21  Hen.  VI,  26 
11  Edw.  Ill,  26* 
15  Edw.  Ill,  68* 
17  Edw.  II,  65. 

4 Rich.  II,  28 


112 


Papers,  fyc. 


Gorges,  Ralph,  s.  and  h.  Theobald,  chev. 
„ Bartholomew 

„ Agnes,  wife  of  Theobald 

„ Thomas 

„ Theobald 

,.  Richard,  arm. 


5 Rich.  II,  26 
20  Rich.  II,  26 
2 Hen.  IV,  17 
5 Hen.  IV,  17 
9 and  10  Edw.  IV,  59 
20  Edw.  IV,  93 


Gournay,  Matthew  de,  see  Beauchamp,  William 

Thomas  de,  of  Harptre  17  Edw.  Ill,  25 

John  de,  chev.,  of  Knolle,  pro  Priory  of 

St.  Augustine,  Bristol  26  Edw.  Ill,  35* 

John,  mil.  38  Edw.  Ill,  55 

Matthew,  mil.  38  Edw.  Ill,  61 

Matthew  de,  mil .,feoffavit  William  de  Beaucham, 

mil.  3 Rich.  II,  110 

Gurney,  Robert  de  53  Hen.  Ill,  23 

Gurney e,  Oliva  de  24  Edw.  I,  28 

Goumeye,  Thomas  de  13  Edw.  Ill,  37* 

Gourney,  Matthew  de  30  Edw.  Ill,  64 

Gourneye,  Alice,  wife  of  Matthew,  chev.  7 Rich.  II,  39 
Gourney,  Matthew,  and  Phillippa,  his  wife  13  Rich.  II,  81 
Govytz,  William  of  Lottesham,  felo.  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  89 

Grandisson,  William  de  9 Edw.  Ill,  35 

„ Grandison,  Peter  de  32  Edw.  Ill,  32 

„ Graunson,  Thomas  de,  chev.  Istpt.  49  Edw.  Ill,  62 

„ Grauntsoun,  John  de,  feoffavit  John  de 

Monte  Acuto  40  Edw.  Ill,  5* 

Grene,  William  de  la,  see  Keynsham  Abbey 


„ William,  arm 
Greyndour,  Robert,  arm. 

Greynevill,  Henry  de 
Gryndenham,  Richard,  chaplain 
Guldene,  Henry  le,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife 
Gundewyne,  Richard,  pro  Abbot  of  Keynesham 
Gunter,  Roger,  arm. 

„ John,  arm. 

„ William 

Gyene,  Robert,  of  Bristol 


6 Hen.  VI,  19 
22  Hen.  VI,  34 

3 Edw.  Ill,  25 

4 Rich.  II,  63 
8 Edw.  Ill,  55 

20  Edw.  Ill,  16* 
15  Hen.  VI,  16 
13  Edw.  IV,  61 
2 Rich.  Ill,  6 
27  Edw.  Ill,  52 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset . 


113 


1 Edw.  Ill,  78* 


20  Rich.  II,  120 


18  Rich.  II,  85 
22  Edw.  Ill,  33 
1st  part  35  Edw.  Ill,  96 
20  Edw.  IY,  56 
13  Rich.  II,  57 
10  Hen.  YI,  6 
18  Edw.  IY,  33 


Gylampton,  Thomas,  see  Gilbert,  Gilbert 
Gyvernay,  Richard 
Hacche,  Henry,  see  Hayt,  John 

„ Robert,  formerly  Abbot  of  Athelney, 

retinere  possit 

„ Hacher,  Robert,  formerly  Abbot  of 

Athelneye,  retinere 
Haddon,  Henry  de 
„ Alianora,  de 
Hadley,  Alexander,  arm. 

Hall,  Hale,  John ,felo. 

„ Halle,  William 
„ „ Nicholas 

Hallowey,  Thomas,  for  Chapel  in  All  Saints,  Bristol. 

Inq.  ad  quod.  dam.  20  Hen.  YI,  20 

Hamme,  Peter  de  15  Edw.  II,  6 

„ Peter  de  16  Edw.  Ill,  32 

„ Peter  14  Rich.  II,  28 

Hampton,  William  de  30  Edw.  I,  44 

„ Philip  18  Hen.  YI,  17 

Handlo,  John  de  20  Edw.  Ill,  51 

Hankford,  Hankeford,  Richard  7 Hen.  Y,  70 

,,  William,  mil.  2 Hen.  YI,  32 

„ Hankeford,  Richard,  mil.,  and  Anna  his  wife  9 Hen.  YI,  54 

„ „ Elizabeth,  d.  and  h.  of  Richard,  mil. 

12  Hen.  YI,  40 

Harding,  John,  non  compos  mentis  12  Hen.  IY,  39 

Hardy,  John,  Parson  of  Childfrome  18  Edw.  Ill,  38* 

Harewelle,  John,  Bishop  of  Bath,  51  Edw.  Ill,  20* 

„ Harwell,  John,  Bishop  of  Bath  and 
Wells,  pro  vicar  and  nine  chor- 
ister boys  there  1 Rich.  II,  119 

„ Harewell,  John,  Bishop  of  Bath  and 

Wells,  habere  possit  3 Rich.  II,  76 

Harington,  Robert  de,  chev.  7 Hen.  IY,  55 

„ Haryngton,  John,  chev.,  and  Eliza- 
beth, his  wife,  assignatio  dotis  6 Hen.  Y,  25 


Vol.  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  11. 


114 


Papers,  8fc. 


Harington,  Haryngton,  William,  of  Aldingham, 

mill,  null.  ten.  terr.  36  Hen.  VI,  20 

,,  Elizabeth,  Lady  of,  wife 

of  William  Lord  Bone  vile  1 1 Edw.  IY,  64 

Hastings,  John  de  6 Edw.  II,  56 

„ Hastynges,  John  de,  Lord  of  Ber- 

geveny  18  Edw.  II,  83 

„ Hastynges,  Laurence  de,  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke 22  Edw.  Ill,  47 

„ Hastynges,  Agnes,  wife  of  Laurence, 

Earl  of  Pembroke  1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  102 
„ Hastynges,  Agnes,  wife  of  Laurence  de  42  Edw.  Ill,  27 
„ „ John  de,  Earl  of  Pembroke 

1st  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  70 
„ Hastinges,  John,  son  and  heir  of  John 

de,  Earl  of  Pembroke  13  Bich.  II,  30 

„ Hastynges,  Phillipa,  wife  of  John,  son 

of  John  de,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  2 Hen.  IY,  54 
Haulegh,  John  de,  and  Agnes,  his  wife  34  Edw.  Ill,  23 

Hauteyn,  Hamo  de  18  Edw.  I,  104 

Haye,  Cecilia  de  la,  of  Herteslegh.  Inq.  ad.  q.  d.  17  Edw.  II,  237 
„ Cecilia  de  la  14  Edw.  Ill,  2 

Hayt,  John,  cler.,  and  Henry  Hacche,  pro  Abbey  of  Atheleneye 


48  Edw.  Ill,  4* 

Helier,  John,  s and  h.  of  Phillipp,  Fatuus  and  Idiota  7 Hen.  Y,  20 
Hen  ton,  Priory  of,  see  Norton  St.  Philip. 

„ „ Bichard  Danteseye,  pro.  Inq  ad.  q.  d. 

17  Edw.  I,  34 


„ Priory  of  Loco  Dei,  per  William  fil.  John  le  Parker. 

Inq.  ad.  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  256 

Hereford  and  Essex,  Earl  of,  see  Bohun,  Humfrey  de. 

Herle,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Bobert,  see  Chambernoun,  Bichard. 
Hertele,  Alice,  wife  of  Adam  de  2 Edw.  II,  55 

Hertford  and  Gloucester,  Earls  of,  see  Clare. 

Hervey,  Margaret,  wife  of  John,  formerly  wife  of 
William  Fenys,  Lord  of  Say, 
defunct  7 Edw.  IY,  45 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  115 


3 Edw.  II,  4 
20  Edw.  II,  36 
9 Edw.  Ill,  36 


11  Edw.  Ill,  79* 
1 Hen.  VI,  31 
13  Hen.  VI,  36 
24  Hen.  VI,  53 
34  Hen.  VI,  17 
15  Edw.  IV,  2 


Heyle,  John,  de  hereditate  heredis  Elie  de  Albiniaco 
Heyron,  John  de,  and  Emma,  his  wife 
„ John,  of  Enefeld 

„ Margaret,  feoffavit  John  fil.  Hugh  de 

Garton 

Hill,  Robert,  of  Spaxton 
„ Hille,  John,  of  Spaxton 
„ „ John,  probatio  etatis 

„ John 

„ Ralph,  null.  ten.  terr. 

„ Robert,  arm.  app.  9 Hen.  VII,  3 

H illary e,  Margaret,  sister  and  heir  of  Nicholas 

Lord  Audley  12  Hen.  IV,  36 

Hody,  Alexander,  mil.  1 Edw.  IV,  34 

Hogshawe,  Edmund,  son  of  Thomas  mil.,  heir 

of  Edmund  Clyvedon,  mil.  12  Rich.  II,  25 

Hoi  and,  Matilda,  see  Lovell,  John. 

„ Thomas  de,  Earl  of  Kent,  and  Alice  his  wife  20  Rich,  II,  30 

„ Thomas,  Earl  of  Kent,  and  Alice  his  wife  22  Rich.  II,  21 

„ Richard,  s.  and  h.  of  John  de,  Earl  of 

Huntingdon  4 Hen.  V,  50 

Hole,  Henry  atte,  vicar  of  Sowy,  see  Pembrigge,  Hugh. 

Holgote,  see  Burnell,  Hugh. 

Holne,  William,  and  Hugh  de  Loccombe  40  Edw.  Ill,  34* 

Holte,  John  de,  de  herede  Elie  de  Albiniaco  14  Edw.  II,  21 

Holy  Cross,  near  the  Tower  of  London,  Order  of,  see  Fitz 
Roger,  Henry. 

Homond,  Robert,  of  Dunster 
Hore,  Thomas,  per  Nicholas  Cristesham 
Horewode,  Thomas  de 
Horsey,  Alianora,  see  Latymer,  Alianora 
„ William,  manca 

„ Horsi,  Ralph  de 

„ Horsy,  John  de 

„ Ralph 
Horcy,  John 


28  Edw.  Ill,  23* 
18  Rich.  II,  97 
18  Edw.  Ill,  82* 

I Edw.  Ill,  57* 
15  Edw.  Ill,  19* 

II  Edw.  Ill,  24 
28  Edw.  Ill,  49 

1st  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  69 


j? 


116 

Papers , tyc. 

Horsey, 

Horsy,  John,  pro  rector  of  Cherleton 

Maekerell 

5 Rich.  II,  84 

jj 

„ John 

19  Rich.  II,  99 

jj 

,,  William,  arm. 

7 Hen.  V,  27 

jj 

„ John,  chev. 

1 Hen.  VI,  20 

>i 

„ Joan,  wife  of  William 

9 Hen.  VI,  19 

jj 

„ Alice,  wife  of  John,  mil.  null.  ten. 

tefrr.,  defunct 

13  Hen.  VI,  2 

jj 

„ Alice,  wife  of  John  arm.,  defunct 

15  Hen.  VI,  7 

jj 

,,  William,  melius  inquirendum 

26  Hen.  VI,  20 

jj 

Henry,  arm. 

1 Edw.  IV,  25 

jj 

Thomas 

8 Edw.  I V,  32 

jj 

Thomas 

17  Edw.  IV,  46 

Horsledgh,  Priory  of,  co.  Gloucester 

29  Edw.  Ill,  62* 

Hull,  Edward,  mil.,  null.  ten.  terr. 

Hungerford,  Margaret,  see  Botreaux,  Margaret. 

32  Hen.  VI,  41 

>» 

Thomas  de 

21  Rich.  II,  31 

jj 

Joan,  wife  of  Thomas,  chev. 

13  Hen.  IV,  33 

jj 

Walter,  mil.,  for  chapel  in  Church  of 

Farley  Hungerford,  ad  q.  d. 

22  Hen.  VI,  13 

jj 

Walter,  mil. 

27  Hen.  VI,  30 

jj 

Alianora,  wife  of  Walter,  mil. 

33  Hen.  VI,  35 

jj 

Robert,  mil.,  sen. 

37  Hen.  VI,  17 

jj 

Robert,  Lord,  attainted , and  Alianora  his 

wife,  who  was  dau.  and  h.  to  William 

Lord  Hungerford 

4 Edw.  IV,  56 

jj 

Thomas,  mil. 

8 Edw.  IV,  43 

Hunt,  W alter,  fdo 

43  Edw.  Ill,  20* 

Huntelegh,  Matilda,  wife  of  John  de 

22  Edw.  Ill,  22 

jj 

Huntelege,  Thomas  de 

27  Edw.  Ill,  39 

jj 

Thomas 

45  Edw.  Ill,  29 

Huntingdon,  Earl  of,  see  Holland,  Richard. 


„ Elizabeth,  wife  of  John,  Earl  of  4 Hen.  VI,  32 

Huscarl,  John,  son  of  Ralph,  probatio  etatis  15  Edw.  I,  73 

Husse,  James,  chev.,  and  Thomas  Berlegh,  placita  8 Rich.  II,  116 
Illari,  John  7 Edw.  HI,  9 

Inge,  John,  chev.,  and  Alice  20  Edw.  3,  46* 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  117 


Inge,  Joan,  dan.  and  heir  of  John  41  Edw.  Ill,  54; 

„ Joan,  dau.  and  heir  of  John,  and  wife  of  Roger 


44  Edw.  Ill,  77 
3 Hen.  V,  13 
9 Rich.  II,  133 
Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  64 
22  Edw.  I,  20 
56  Hen.  Ill,  5 
11  Edw.  I,  73 


6 Hen.  YI,  31 
48,  Edw.  Ill,  71 


Dore 

„ John 

Ingelby,  Thomas,  felo  ( breve  tantum ) 

Insula,  Emma,  wife  of  Jordan  de 
„ William  de 
Inweans,  alias  Ives,  Ralph 
Ivelcestre,  Friars,  preachers  of 
Ives,  Ralph,  see  Inweans 
Jerard,  John 

Jerusalem,  Hospital  of  St.  John,  prior  of 

,,  Priory  of  St.  John  per  William 

Wirkele  2nd  part,  15  Rich.  II,  68 

Judeus,  Josephinus,  Bristol  37  Hen.  Ill,  34 

Juyn,  John,  mil,  null.  ten.  terr.  18  Hen.  YI,  29 

Kayle,  John  and  Thomas,  see  Poulet,  Idonia 
„ Keyle,  Caille  alias.  William 
„ Kayl,  John,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife 
„ Kayll,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John,  assignatione 
dotis 

„ Thomas,  son  and  heir  of  John 
Kele,  John,  s.  and  h.  of  William 
Kelly,  John 

Kelwey,  William,  arm.  9 and  10  Edw.  IY,  9 

Kemmys,  Lodowick  de,  Parson  of  Combe  Martin,  see 
Columbariis,  Philip  de. 

Kendale,  Isobella,  wife  of  John  de  8 Hen.  IY,  58 

„ Isabella,  wife  of  John  2 Hen.  Y,  17 

„ John,  s.  and  h.  of  John,  probatione  etatis  2 Hen.  Y,  53 

„ John  9 Hen.  Y,  59 

Kenne,  John  6 Hen.  IY,  20 

„ John  16  Hen.  YI,  37 

„ Ken,  Alice,  wife  of  John  19  Hen.  YI,  15 

„ Robert,  arm.  31  Hen.  VI,  6 

„ Kene,  William,  arm.  8 Edw.  IY,  45 

„ John,  s.  and  h.  of  Robert,  probatio  etatis  12  Edw.  IY,  57 


44  Edw.  Ill,  15 

7 Rich.  II,  48 

8 Rich.  II,  82 
18  Rich.  II,  26 

42  Edw.  Ill,  80 
5 Edw.  IY,  24 


118 


Papers,  8fc. 


Kent,  Earl  of,  see  also  Holand,  Thomas. 

„ Edmund,  Earl  of,  and  Margaret  his  wife 
„ John,  Earl  of  Kent 
,,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John,  Earl  of 
Keryel,  Cecilia,  wife  of  Thomas,  mil. 

Keynes,  Isabella  de 
,,  Thomas  de 

„ John,  sen. 

,,  John,  jun. 

,,  Nicholas 

Keynesham,  Abbot  of, 


4 Edw.  Ill,  38 
26  Edw.  Ill,  54 
12  Hen.  IY,  35 
12  Edw.  IV,  51 
33  Edw.  Ill,  26 
1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  107 

7 Hen.  Y,  69 

8 Hen.  Y,  95 
2 Edw.  IY,  12 

Gundewyne,  Richard. 

,,  Abbey  of,  see  Mersheton,  John  de. 

„ Abbey,  per  Gilbert  Amori,  de  Keynes- 
ham. Inq.  ad  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  225 

,,  Abbey  of,  per  Nicholas  de  Chiltenham  34  Edw.  I,  96 

„ ,,  per  Gilbert  Amorey.  Inq. 

ad  q.  d.  34  Edw.  I,  129 

,,  Abbot  of  3 Edw.  Ill,  84* 

„ „ perquisivit  de  William  de  la 

Grene,  and  John  de  Bagge- 
worth  4 Edw.  Ill,  102* 

„ „ per  Robert  Peytevyn  10  Rich.  II,  77 

,,  Abbey  of,  per  Henry  David,  Yicar  of 

Clonford  1st  part,  16  Rich.  II,  39 

Knoel,  Thomas,  see  Dore  Roger. 

Knovill,  Gilbert  de,  see  Luscote,  Joan. 

,,  Gilbert  de,  pro  capellan’  in  eccl’  de  Pukynton. 

Inq.  ad  q.  d.  29  Edw.  I,  134 

„ Gilbert  de  7 Edw.  II,  8 

„ John  de,  and  Alice  his  wife  10  Edw.  II,  20 

„ John  de,  see  Archard,  Thomas  32  Edw.  Ill,  56 

Knyghton,  John,  see  Coweley,  William. 

„ John,  cler.,  pro  Rich.  Wormbrugge,  Parson 

of  St.  John’s,  Bristol  13  Rich.  II,  118 

Kynewardesleye,  see  William  Daumerle. 

Kyngston,  Elizabeth  3 Edw.  IY,  20 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  119 


Lacy,  Henry  de,  Earl  of  Lincoln,  and  Margaret 

Longespee,  some  time  his  wife  4 Edw.  II,  51 

Lambroc,  John  de  Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  67 

,,  Lambrok,  Robert  7 Hen.  V,  58 

Lancaster,  Matilda,  dau.  of  Henry,  Duke  of,  see  Bavaria. 

,,  Henry,  Duke  of  1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  122 

Langeford,  Roger  de  3 Edw.  TI,  43 

„ John  de  17  Edw.  Ill,  18 

Langeleye,  Priory  of  2nd  part,  16  Rich.  TI,  4 

Langelond,  Nicholas  de  7 Edw.  II,  14 

„ Langelonde,  John,  and  Isabella  his  wife  3 Rich.  II,  41 

Langhere,  Thomas  15  Edw.  IV,  13 

Langryche,  John,  null.  ten.  terr.  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  39 

,,  Langrych,  John,  null.  ten.  terr.  16  Rich.  II,  161 

Lapene,  John  de,  and  Isolda,  see  Meriet,  John  de. 

Lasewell,  John  de,  and  Alicia  his  wife.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

34  Edw.  I,  126 

Latton,  John,  prepositus  of  the  town  of  Jevele, 

(Yeovil)  2nd  part,  15  Rich.  II,  136 

Latymer,  Latimer,  Warino  le,  see  Warre,  John  la. 

„ Robert,  chev,  and  Katherine  his  wife  5 Rich.  II.  36 

„ Thomas,  of  Braybrok,  chev.,  feoffavit  John 


Middelton,  Parson  of  Wardon 
,,  Thomas,  chev. 

„ Anna  Bochard,  wife  of  Thomas 
„ Thomas 

„ Thomas 

„ Alianora,  wife  of  Henry,  formerly  of 

Horsey 

Laundry,  Cecilia,  wife  of  Stephen 
,,  Cecilia,  wife  of  Stephen 

Laurence,  William 
Lavynton,  John  de 

Leddered,  Nicholas  de,  see  Pavely,  Robert  de 
Ledeforde,  John 

Lescrop,  Phillippa,  wife  of  Henry,  chev. 
Leukenore,  Catherine,  see  Arundel,  Catherine 


10  Rich.  II,  70 

2 Hen.  IV,  51 

3 Hen.  IV,  30 
12  Hen.  VI,  48 
17  Hen.  VI,  72 


13  Edw.  IV,  3 
1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  112 
37  Edw.  Ill,  41 
13  Rich.  II,  128 
46,  Edw.  Ill,  36 


23,  Hen.  VI,  49 
8 Hen.  IV,  54 


120 


Papers , 8fc, 


Leversegge,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Edmund  1 Hen.  YI,  36 

„ Leverseg,  Robert,  arm.  4 Edw.  IY,  31 

Levisham,  John  8 Hen.  Y,  57 

Leycestre,  Richard,  see  Coweley,  William 

,,  Richard,  pro  parson  of  Staple  17  Rich.  II,  113 

Lideyard,  Joan  do,  and  the  Bishop  of  Bath  and 

Wells  9 Edw.  I,  80 

Lockome,  John  de  13  Edw.  II,  27 

„ Loccombe,  Hugh  de,  and  William 

Holne  40  Edw.  Ill,  34* 

Lodelawe,  Thomas,  see  De  la  Lynde,  Walter. 

London,  John  de,  tenements  in  Bristol.  App.  14  Edw.  Ill,  8 

Long  Ashton,  see  Spencer,  William. 

Longespee,  Margaret,  wife  of- Henry  de  Lacy,  Earl  of 

Lincoln  4 Edw.  II,  51 

Lortye,  John  de  5 Edw.  Ill,  27* 

„ Lorty,  John  de,  pro  Elizabeth  Chute,  of  Stan- 
ford 14  Edw.  Ill,  3 

,,  „ Matilda,  wife  of  John,  formerly  wife  of 

William  Newton  7 Hen.  Y,  38a 

Louthe,  Juliana,  wife  of  Robert,  assignatio  dotis  1 Rich.  II,  51 
Lovell,  Level,  Henry  47  Hen.  Ill,  11 

„ Luvell,  Richard  48  Hen.  Ill,  36 

„ Luvel,  Hugh  19  Edw.  I,  11 

,,  James  and  Isabella  16  Edw.  Ill,  33 

„ Level,  John,  chev.,  and  Johanna  who  was  wife 

of  John  Level,  grandmother  of 

21  Edw.  Ill,  49 

,,  „ John  2nd  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  136 

,,  „ Richard,  chev.,  pro  Priory  of  Staverdale 

24  Edw.  Ill,  10* 

,,  „ Richard,  chev.  25  Edw.  Ill,  63 

„ „ Isabella,  wife  of  John  25  Edw.  Ill,  62b 

„ John,  son  of  John,  mil.  1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  109 

,,  Thomas,  arm.  2 Hen.  IY,  34 

„ John,  chev.,  and  Matilda  his  wife,  dau.  of 

Robert  de  Holand  9 Hen.  IY,  29 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  121 


Lovell,  Joan,  wife  of  Nicholas  and  Joan  Bluett  11  Hen.  IV,  24 

,,  Lovel,  Matilda,  wife  of  John,  chev.  1 Hen.  VI,  51 

Lovenij,  Walter  de,  and  Joan  his  wife  7 Edw.  Ill,  6* 

Lowes,  William,  felo  9 Rich.  II,  101 

Lincoln,  Alured  de  48  Hen.  Ill,  19 

„ Earl  of,  Henry  de  Lacy,  Margaret  Longespee, 

sometime  his  wife  4 Edw.  II,  51 

Lisle,  Viscountess,  see  Talbot,  Joan. 

,,  Lysle,  John,  Viscount  32  Hen.  VI,  38 

Luccumbe,  Parson  of,  see  St.  John,  Alexander  de. 

Luda,  Thomas  de,  and  Alianora  his  wife,  pro  Abbey  of 
Abrodesbury  (?  Abbotsbury,  Dorset). 

Inq.  ad  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  242 

Luscote,  Joan,  dau.  and  h.  of  Alice,  wife  of  William  de, 
and  kin  and  heir  of  Thomas  Archard, 
and  kin  and  heir  of  Gilbert  de  Knovitt 

41  Edw.  Ill,  79 

Lutcombe,  Hugh  de  16  Edw.  II,  45 

,,  Lutcumbe,  John  de,  and  Sibilla  his  wife  19  Ewd.  II,  60 


55 

Hugh  de 

19  Edw.  II,  61 

55 

Luttecoumbe,  John,  son  of  Hugh  de 

8 Edw.  Ill,  37 

Lutte,  John,  null.  ten.  terr. 

2 Edw.  IV,  23 

Lutterell,  Luterel,  Hugh,  chev. 

6 Hen.  VI,  32 

55 

John,  mil.,  and  Margaret  his  wife 

9 Hen.  VI,  51 

55 

James,  mil 

1 Edw.  IV,  43 

55 

Lutrell,  Catherine,  wife  of  Hugh, 

chev., 

assignatio  dotis 

6 Hen.  VI,  83 

55 

„ Catherine 

14  Hen.  VI,  30 

55 

,,  Margaret,  wife  of  John,  chev. 

17  Hen.  VI,  14 

55 

Loterell,  Elizabeth 

15  Edw.  IV,  57 

55 

„ Elizabeth,  wife  of  J ames 

App.,  9 Hen,  VII,  8 

Lutte  swell,  Thomas  de 

4 Edw.  Ill,  56* 

Lynd,  Alexander 

20  Edw.  IV,  81 

55 

Lynde,  de  la,  see  de  la  Lynde. 

Lyons 

, Lyouns,  William  de 

5 Edw.  II,  63 

55 

„ Adam  de 

6 Edw.  II,  25 

55 

„ Thomas  de 

1 Edw.  Ill,  84* 

Vol.  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


1*22 


Papers , §*c. 


Lyons,  de  Aysshton,  Edmund  de,  pro  Abbot  of  St. 

Augustines,  Bristol  4 Edw.  Ill,  115* 

„ William  de,  feoffavit  Thomas  de  Lyons  40  Edw.  Ill,  48* 
5)  Lyouns,  William,  son  of  Edmund  1st  part,  43  Edw.  Ill,  63 
,,  „ Thomas,  feoffavit  Nicholas  Boyl, 

Vicar  of  Redeclyve  45  Edw.  Ill,  8* 

,,  Thomas,  pro  Priory  of  St.  John,  Wells  19  Rich.  II,  86 
Mayott,  William  1 Hen.  V,  22 

Malet,  Lucy,  wife  of  Richard  44  Edw.  Ill,  43 

„ Hugh  5 Edw.  IV,  8 

Maleyns,  Edmund,  chev.,  and  Isabella  his  wife  9 Rich.  II,  37 
Malmesbury,  Abbey  of,  per  John  Corston  13  Rich.  IE,  127 

Mai verne,  Thomas,  tenements  in  Bristol 
March,  Earls  of,  see  Mortuo  Mari. 

Marisco,  William  de 
Marland,  John 

Marlborough,  Marleberghe,  Thomas  de 
„ Marleberge,  William  de 

Marney,  Christina,  wife  of  John,  mil. 

Marreys,  Mareis,  Herbert  de 

,,  Stephen,  chev.,  and  Lucy  his  wife 

,,  Mareys,  Lucy,  wife  of  Stephen 

,,  Lucy,  wife  of  Stephen 

„ Stephen,  chev. 

Marshall,  Earl,  see  Moubray,  Thomas. 

,,  Marescallus,  William  de  45  Hen.  Ill,  34 

„ Mareschal,  William  le  20  Edw.  I,  148 

„ „ Ralph  20  Edw.  Ill,  36 

,,  „ Walter,  Earl  of  Pembroke  40  Edw.  Ill,  53* 

„ ,,  Thomas,  mil.,  appreciation  terrarum 

9 Rich.  II,  82 

,,  Marchall,  Thomas,  chev.,  null.  ten.  terr.  11  Rich.  II,  36 

„ John  11  Edw.  IV,  28 

,,  Marchall,  Elizabeth  20  Edw.  IV,  18 

Martyn,  Martyne,  William,  son  of  William  19  Edw.  II,  100 

,,  Margaret,  wife  of  William  33  Edw.  Ill,  10 

„ Richard,  extent.  21  Rich.  II,  133 


7 Hen.  V,  38b 


12  Edw.  I,  23 
3 Hen.  V,  29 
2 Edw.  Ill,  81*  and  91* 
8 Edw.  Ill,  63* 
App.,  9 Hen.  VIII,  1 
1 Edw.  Ill,  34 
5 Rich.  II,  39 
9 Rich.  II,  61 
10  Rich.  II,  87 
14  Rich.  II,  37 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  123 


Maundevill,  John  4 Edw.  I,  48 

„ Galfridde  11  Edw.  I,  59 

„ John  de,  licencia  feoff andi , pro  Robert 

le  Fitzpayn.  Ing.  ad  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  182 

Mautravers,  John  25  Edw.  I,  33 

„ John,  son  of  John  1st  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  52 

„ Agnes,  wife  of  John,  sen.  2nd  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  17 

„ John,  chev.,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  9 Rich.  II,  35 

„ John,  chev.,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  10  Rich.  II,  25 

„ Matravers,  Alianora,  wife  of  John 

Arundel,  sen.  6 Hen.  IV,  31 

Mayloysel,  Dionisia,  wife  of  Richard  3 Edw.  I,  48 

Mede,  Philip  16  Edw.  IV,  23 

Medicus,  Jordan  Date  not  known,  App.,  Hen.  Ill,  81 

Meere,  Chantry  of,  see  Bettesthorne,  John  de 
Meriet,  Matilda,  wife  of  John,  see  Punchard,  John  and  Alice 

„ Hugh  de  20  Hen.  Ill,  16e 

,,  Nicholas  de  47  Hen.  Ill,  7 


Meriett,  John  de 


13  Edw.  I,  20 


John,  s.  and  h.  of  John  de  and  Roger  Basset 

and  Ella  his  wife  30  Edw.  I,  147 

John,  lord  of  1 Edw.  II,  62,  and  2 Edw.  II,  2 

John,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  1 Edw.  Ill,  50 

George  de,  and  Isabella  his  wife  2 Edw.  Ill,  48 

Meryet,  Walter  de,  pro  frat.  de  Monte 

Carmel  15  Edw.  HI,  58* 

Walter  de,  Clericus  17  Edw.  Ill,  43* 

Meryet,  Walter  de  19,  Edw.  Ill,  55 

„ John  de,  chev.,  feoffavit,  Robert 


36  Edw.  Ill,  53* 


Samborn,  Parson  of  Meryet 
John,  son  of  John,  heir  of  John  de 

Beauchamp  42  Edw.  Ill,  40*'  and  81 

John,  mil.  45  Edw.  Ill,  45* 

John  de  chev.  pro  John  de,  Lapene  and  Isolda 

his  wife  47  Edw.  Ill,  84* 

Meryet,  John  de  48  Edw.  Ill,  81 

John,  chev.  2nd  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  15* 


124 


Papers , Sfc. 


Meriet,  Meryet,  John,  chev.,  pro  Thomas  de  Bokeland, 

chev.  - 3 Rich.  II,  96 

„ John,  chev.,  and  Matilda  his  wife,  formerly 

wife  of  Ralph  Seymour,  mil.  1st  pt.,  15  Rich.  II,  48 
Merland,  Merlaund,  Henry  de,  deest.  12  Edw.  II,  24 

,,  Merlaunde,  Henry  de  20  Edw.  Ill,  20 

,,  Henry,  son  of  Henry  de,  feoffavit  William 

Flemmyng,  cler.  22  Edw.  Ill,  17* 

„ Merlaund,  Joan  de  2nd  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  81 

„ Merlaunde,  Henry  de,  and  Joan  his  wife  45  Edw.  Ill,  43 

,,  Merlond,  Margaret,  wife  of  Henry  9 Rich.  II,  38 

Mershton,  Mersshton,  John,  pro  Priory  of  Bruy  ton  28  Edw.  Ill,  6* 
„ John  de,  pro  Abbey  of  Keynesham  34  Edw.  Ill,  40* 

,,  John  de  and  John  Derby,  pro  Priory  of 

Witham  35  Edw.  Ill,  18* 

„ Merston,  John  de,  pro  Priory  of  Bruton  36  Edw.  Ill,  55* 
„ Mersheton,  John  de,  pro  Abbey  of  Key- 
nesham 37  Edw.  Ill,  68* 

,,  Merston,  Emma,  wife  of  John,  formerly  wife 

of  Richard  de  la  Ryvere  41  Edw.  Ill,  41 

Merton,  Mertone,  Richard  de  16  Edw.  Ill,  44 

,,  Richard  de  47  Edw.  Ill,  25 

Meysy,  Robert,  pro  Priory  of  Staverdale  19  Edw.  Ill,  39* 

Michel,  William,  pro  Priory  of  Bruere.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  19  Edw.  I,  36 
,,  Simon  and  Thomas  A.tte  Lode,  placita  8 Rich.  II,  104 
Middelneye,  Ralph  de  13  Edw.  Ill,  47* 

,,  Middelnye,  Ralph  de  14  Edw.  Ill,  41* 

„ Middelnav,  Ralph  de,  chev.,  and  Eliza- 

beth, feoffaverunt  John,  Parson  of 
Putteneye  29  Edw.  Ill,  54* 

,,  Middelney,  Ralph  de  37  Edw.  Ill,  48 

„ „ John,  retinere  possit  19  Rich.  II,  120 

Middelton,  John,  see  Latymer,  Thomas. 

Middelworth,  John,  Parson  of  Wryngton,  pro  Abbot 

of  Glastonbury  21  Rich.  II,  77 

Milborn,  Simon  4 Edw.  IY,  12 

Miles,  Richard  15  Edw.  IY,  23 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


125 


Modesley,  Modusley,  Joan,  wife  of  John  46  Edw.  Ill,  37 

„ William,  son  and  heir  of  Joan,  wife  of 

John  46  Edw.  Ill,  88 

Moeles,  Nicholas  de,  see  Thornhull,  Walter  de 
„ Roger  de 

,,  Nicholas  de,  and  Margaret  his  wife 
„ John  de, 

„ Margaret,  wife  of  Nicholas 

,,  ,,  wife  of  Nicholas  de 

Mohun,  John  de 
„ William  de 

„ John  de 

„ Mohoun,  John  de 

„ Joan,  wife  of  John,  chev. 

Moigne,  Edmund 
„ Edmund 

,,  Edmund 


23  Edw.  I,  59 

9 Edw.  II,  60 
11  Edw.  Ill,  56 
11  Edw.  Ill,  57 

2nd  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  168 
7 Edw.  I,  13 

10  Edw.  I,  19 
14  Edw.  I,  23 

4 Edw.  Ill,  35 
6 Hen.  IV,  33 
50  Edw.  Ill,  82 

6 Rich.  II,  54 

7 Rich.  II,  53 


Moleton,  Matilda  de,  see  Dynham,  John  de 
Molyns,  John  de,  chev.  feoffavit,  Walter  de  Notyngham, 

Clericus  ' 20  Edw.  Ill,  1* 

„ Henry,  jun.,  and  Joan  34  Edw.  Ill,  14* 

,,  John  11  Rich.  II,  38 

„ John  and  Alice  his  wife  12  Rich.  II,  131 

„ Nicholas,  son  and  heir  of  John,  probatione 


etatis 

,,  Henry 

Montagu  and  Montacute,  see  Monte  Acuto. 
Monte  Acuto,  John  de,  see  Grauntsoun,  John  de 
,,  Prior  of,  Thomas  de  Coker,  pro 

„ William  de,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife 

,,  Marcus,  Prior  of 

„ William  de,  Earl  of  Salisbury 


4 Hen.  IY,  49 


7 Hen.  IV,  39 


28  Edw.  I,  137 
13  Edw,  II,  31 
6 Edw.  Ill,  127* 
18  Edw.  111,51 


Katherine,  wife  of  William  de,  Earl 

of  Salisbury  2nd  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  58 

William,  s.  and  h.  of  William,  Earl  of 

Salisbury  23  Edw.  Ill,  97 


Elizabeth  de 


28  Edw.  Ill,  39 


126 


Papers,  8fc. 


Monte  Acuto,  William  de,  Earl  of  Salisbury,  pro 


42  Edw.  Ill,  26* 
7 Rich.  It,  127 
18  Rich.  II,  31 
20  Rich.  II,  35 

Inq. 

10  Hen.  IV,  54 


Brian  de  Stapleton 
,,  Prior  of,  de  temporalibus 

,,  Margaret,  wife  of  John,  mil. 

„ William  de,  Earl  of  Salisbury 

,,  Thomas  de,  Earl  of  Salisbury. 

super  forisfaeturam 
„ Elizabeth,  wife  of  William,  Earl  of 

Salisbury  2 Hen.  V,  39 

„ Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  de,  Earl  of 

Salisbury  4 Hen.  Y,  55 

„ Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  de,  Earl  of 

Salisbury,  milius  inquirend . 5 Hen,  Y,  56 

„ Thomas,  Earl  of  Salisbury  7 Hen.  VI,  57 

„ Richard  de,  chev.  8 Hen.  YI,  39 

,,  John,  Prior  of  the  church  of  St.  Peter 

and  St.  Paul  at  App.,  1 Edw.  Y,  1 

„ Mountague,  William,  arm.  1 Rich.  Ill,  16 

Monte  Alto,  Milisenta  de  27  Edw.  I,  50 

Monte  Carmel,  Frat.  de,  see  Meryet,  Walter  de. 

Montfort,  Monte  Forti,  Henry  de  32  Edw.  I.  54 

„ Mountford,  Richard,  s.  and  h.  of  Henry, 

probatio  cetatis.  6 Edw.  II,  70 

„ Roger,  outlaw  44  Edw.  Ill,  45 

Morcestre,  Richard  de,  Parson  of  Luccombe,  see  St. 

J ohn,  Alexander  de. 

„ Richard  de,  and  Alexander  St.  John,  and 

Elizabeth  his  wife,  placita  8 Rich.  II,  114 

More,  Stephen  de  la  2 Edw.  Ill,  46 

,,  John,  arm.  20  Edw.  IY,  69 

„ Richard  of  Pykyet,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  1 1 Hen.  YI,  26 

Mortimer,  see  Mortuo  Mari. 

Mortuo  Mari,  Roger  33  Hen.  Ill,  41 

,,  Roger  de,  sen.  11  Edw.  I,  28 

,,  Robert  de  15  Edw.  I,  30 

,,  William  de  25  Edw.  I,  36 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  127 


Mortuo  Mari,  Mortimer,  William,  and  others,  pro  Prior 

de  Mountagu  28  Edw.  I,  48,  137 

„ Matilda  de  2y  Edw.  I,  53 

,,  Edmund,  and  Margaret  his  wife  32  Edw.  I,  63 

„ Matilda,  wife  of  Hugh  1 Edw.  II,  59 

„ Margareta,  wife  of  Edmund  de  16  Edw.  II,  81 

„ Senior,  Margareta,  wife  of  Edmund  de  8 Edw.  Ill,  19 

„ Roger  de  34  Edw.  Ill,  86 

,,  Philippa,  wife  of  Roger,  formerly  Earl 

of  March 

„ Roger  de,  Earl  of  March 

„ Alianora,  wife  of  Roger  de,  Earl 

March 

„ Edmund  de,  Earl  of  March 

„ Anna,  wife  of  Edmund,  Earl  of 

Morward,  Henry  1 e,felo 

Moubray,  Thomas,  Earl  Marshall  j 

„ Constance,  Countess  Marescall 
Moyle,  Walter,  for  the  use  of  Thomas,  Earl 
Devon  9 and 

Mucheldenere,  Richard,  pro  Chaplain  of  Ryme  12  Rich.  II,  157 
Muchelneye,  Abbey  of,  see  Willyng,  William. 

„ „ „ Derby,  William. 

,,  Muchelney,  Abbey  of,  see  Rossydenek,  Richard. 

„ Abbot  of,  see  Godwyne,  William  de. 

„ Muchelnye,  Abbey  of,  Rich.  Dubbe  of 

Horfy,  pro.  Jnq.  ad  q.  d.  18  Edw.  I,  69 

„ Muchelney,  Abbey  of,  per  Nicholas 

Brok  2nd  part,  15  Rich.  II,  35 

Multon,  Matildis  de  21  Edw.  I,  25 

Munechene  Barowe,  Priory  of,  see  Acton,  Richard  de. 

Murdac,  Alice,  and  Osbert  Giffard  31  Hen.  Ill,  41 

Muscegros,  Robert  de  38  Hen.  Ill,  39 

„ John  de  3 Edw.  I,  23 

„ Robert  de  9 Edw.  I,  24 

,,  Robert  de,  see  fil.  Richard,  John. 


5 Rich.  II, 

44 

22  Rich.  II, 

34 

of 

7 Hen.  IV, 

23 

3 Hen.  VI, 

32 

11  Hen.  VI, 

39 

35  Edw.  I, 

51 

' 6 Hen.  IV, 

44 

_ 8 Hen.  IV, 

76 

16  Hen.  VI, 

60 

of 

10  Edw.  IV, 

38 

128 


Papers , 8fc. 


Muscegros,  Robert  38  Hen.  Ill,  39 

Musket,  John,  of  Hescombe  25  Rdw.  Ill,  17 

„ William,  pro  John  and  Alianora  Musket  33  Edw,  III,  40* 

„ John,  son  of  William  47  Edw.  Ill,  23 


Alianora 


9 Rich.  II,  36 


Mutton,  Margaret,  wife  of  William,  arm.,  formerly  wife 

of  John  Sydenham,  arm.  17  Edw.  IV,  36 

/App.,  8 Hen.  VII,  2 


Mylbourne,  Thomas,  mil. 


[App.,  9 Hen.  VII,  1 


31  Hen.  VI,  14 
16  Edw.  IV,  12 
Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  84 
10  Edw.  I,  22 


Mynty,  Ralph  de,  see  S too  ford,  John. 

Newton,  William,  see  Lorfey,  Matilda. 

„ William 

,,  Emma 

Nevile,  Hawisia  de,  de  valore  tantum 
,,  Nevyle,  John  de 
,,  Nevill,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  de,  chev.  1 Hen.  VI,  43 

„ ,,  Isabella,  wife  of  John,  Marquis  of 

Dorset  17  Edw.  IV,  33 

Newburgh,  Novo  Burgo,  Robert  30  Hen.  Ill,  33 

„ John  1 Rich.  Ill,  41 

,,  Nebourgh,  John,  null,  ten . ierr.  22  Hen.  VI,  44 

Newbury,  William  4 Hen.  V,  35 

Newnham,  Nyweham,  Abbey  of,  see  Fychet,  Thomas. 

Nicol,  John,  felo  45  Edw.  Ill,  10* 

Noneton,  Baldricus  de  3 Edw.  II,  45 

Norfolk,  Earl  of,  Roger  le  Bygod,  and  Marshall  of 


England,  and  Alice  his  wife 


35  Edw.  I,  46 
2 Rich.  Ill,  27 
1 Rich.  Ill,  26 


Norman,  Agnes 

Northumberland,  Alianora,  Countess  of 
Norton,  Jordan  de,  felo  55  Hen.  III.  20 

„ Thomas  de  20  Edw.  Ill,  23 

,,  Agnes,  wife  of  Thomas,  arm.  7 Hen.  V,  40 

,,  Thomas  28  Hen.  VI,  13 

,,  St.  Philip,  Giles,  Parson  of,  and  John  Talbot, 

pro  Priory  of  Hen  ton  36  Edw.  Ill,  60* 

Norwich,  Bishop  of,  see  Courtnaye,  Richard. 

Notyngham,  Walter  de,  see  Molyns,  John. 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  129 


App.,  16  Jas.  1,  7 


Novo  Burgo,  see  Newburgh. 

Nurse,  Thomas,  arm. 

Nye,  Robert  atte,  see  Cary,  Henry. 

Olyver,  Simon.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  18  Rich.  II,  112 

Orchard,  Robert  1 Hen.  V,  47 

„ William,  and  Richard  his  son  8 Hen.  V,  90 

Organ,  Emote,  heiress  of  Nicholas  Wotton,  defunct, 

probatio  cetatis  37  Hen.  VI,  50 

Ormond,  Earls  of,  see  Botiller. 

Othe,  Thomas,  null.  ten.  terr.  16  Hen.  VI,  16 

Oultyng,  Thomas,  cler.  for  Chantry  of  Long  Ashton, 

near  Bristol  1 Rich.  Ill,  50 

Ovill-Eyvill,  William  de  50  Hen.  Ill,  30 

„ Ovile,  William  de,  and  Joan  his  wife  33  Edw.  I,  34 

Packere,  Matthew  le  21  Edw.  I,  67 

Pagan,  see  fil.  Pagani. 

Palton,  Robert  de  2 Hen.  IV,  29 

„ William,  mil.  28  Hen.  VI,  28 

Panes,  Richard  de,  of  Bristol,  for  Priory  of  St.  Augus- 
tine’s, Bristol.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  16  Edw.  II,  149 
„ Thomas  de,  by  Henry  fil.  Roger  17  Edw.  Ill,  61* 

„ John  fil.  Robert  de,  idiota  2nd  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  16 

„ John,  son  of  Robert,  fatuus  et  idiota  3 Rich.  II,  48 

Pappeworth,  William  de,  see  Tournament,  John. 

,,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  de,  dau.  and 

h.  of  John  de  Preston  2nd  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  22 
„ William  de,  pro  John  de  Stourton  and 

Alice  his  wife  3 Rich.  II,  148 

Park,  Walter,  see  Wyke,  Joan. 

„ Walter  2nd  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  34 

Parys,  William  de  40  Hen.  Ill,  17 

Pasturel,  William,  pro  Abbey  of  Glastonbury.  Inq. 
ad  q.  d. 

Paulet,  Idonea,  wife  of  John 
,,  John,  chev. 

,,  Pawlett,  Isabella,  wife  of  William,  formerly 

wife  of  Thomas  Rodeney  18  Edw.  IV,  49 


33  Edw.  I,  208 
5 Hen.  IV,  42 
16  Hen.  VI,  49 


Vol.  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


130 


Papers , fyc. 


Paulet,  William 

Paunsefete,  Walter,  null.  ten.  terr. 
Paveley,  John  de 

„ Pavely,  John  de 

„ ,,  John  de 

„ Robert  de,  deest 


1 Rich.  Ill,  29 
20  Hen.  VI,  5 
9 Edw.  I,  21 
15  Edw.  I,  60 
19  Edw.  II,  76 
1 Edw.  Ill,  73* 


„ Pavely,  Robert  de,  feoffavit  Nicholas  Tryvet 

and  N.  de  Leddered  5 Edw.  Ill,  41* 

Payn,  John  51  Edw.  Ill,  27a 

„ Payne,  John,  of  London,  Armurer  2 Rich.  I£,  41 

„ Thomas,  and  Thomas  Strete,  retinere  possint  4 Rich.  II,  67 

„ John,  of  London,  Armorer  (who  died  49  Edw. 


17  Rich.  II,  66 
21  Rich.  II,  45 
26  Hen.  YI,  20 
33  Hen.  Ill,  23,  32 
23  Edw.  I,  132 
1 Edw.  II,  6 
17  Edw.  II,  21 
6 Edw.  Ill,  46 


in) 

„ John,  of  London,  Armourer 
„ Payne,  Thomas 
Payn  el,  Panell,  William 
Peche,  Nicholas 

„ Pecche,  Sabina 

„ „ Nicholas 

„ „ Thomas  fil.  Richard 

Pembroke,  Earls  of,  see  Hastynges,  and  Marescall,  Walter. 
Penbrigg,  Hugh  de,  Chaplain  37  Edw.  HI,  64* 

„ Penbrugge,  Magr.  Hugh  de,  for  Abbott  of 

Glastonbury  10  Edw.  Ill,  82* 

„ Penbrugg,  Hugh  39  Edw.  Ill,  13b* 

„ „ Hugo,  for  the  Abbot  and  Convent 

of  Glastonbury  39  Edw.  Ill,  27* 

„ Pembrigge,  Hugh,  clericus,  for  Henry  Atte 

Hole,  Yicar  of  Sowy  46  Edw.  Ill,  28* 

Percy,  John  de  and  Emma  his  wife,  pro  Abbot  of 

Glaston.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  11  Edw.  I,  61 

Percy valle,  Ralph  17  Edw.  IV,  9 

„ Percy  vale,  Richard  22  Edw.  IY,  44 

Perham,  John  fil.,  John  6 Edw.  Ill,  64 

Perrers,  Alice  1 Rich.  II,  30 

Person,  John  27  Hen.  YI,  6 

„ Roger  20  Edw.  IY,  45 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset . 131 


Pever,  Thomas,  arm. 
Peverell,  Nicholas 
„ Margaret 
Peytevyn,  Peter 


8 Hen.  VI,  21 
17  Bich.  II,  62 
1 Hen.  VI,  43 
20  Edw.  Ill,  12 


„ Walter,  feoff avit  John,  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury 20  Edw.  Ill,  28* 

„ Bobert,  pro  Abbot  of  Keynsham  10  Bich.  II,  77 

Pil,  Bobert,  see  Courtenay,  Hugh  de,  junr. 

Pistore,  Thomas,  junr.  2nd  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  19 

Planke,  William  de  la,  s.  and.  h.  of  William,  probatio 

etatis  20  Edw.  Ill,  61 

Pleycy,  Plexy,  Nicholas  de,  chev.  31  Edw.  Ill,  18 

„ Nicholas  2nd  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  15 


„ John 

8 Hen.  IV,  63 

Plessetis,  William  de 

2 Edw.  I,  37 

„ Bichard  de 

17  Edw.  I,  21 

„ Margery,  wife  of  Bichard  de 

21  Edw.  I,  9 

„ John  de 

7 Edw.  II,  5 

Plukenet,  Plugenet,  Alanus  de 

27  Edw.  I,  54 

„ Joan,  wife  of  Alan 

10  Edw.  II,  25 

„ Plunkenet,  Oliver 

2 Edw.  Ill,  1 

„ Sibilla,  wife  of  Alan 

27  Edw.  Ill,  37 

Pokeswell,  Elizabeth,  see  Tame,  Elizabeth 

„ John,  and  Alianora  his  wife 

7 Hen.  IV,  40 

„ J ohn 

1 Hen.  V,  48 

„ Bobert 

8 Hen.  VI,  30 

Pole,  Thomas,  de  la,  mil. 

1st  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  61 

„ John  de  la,  clericus 

3 Hen.  V,  47 

„ Michael  de  la,  Earl  of  Suffolk 

3 Hen.  V,  48a 

„ Michael  de  la,  son  and  heir  of  Michael  de  la, 

Earl  of  Suffolk 

3 Hen.  V,  48b 

„ Thomas  de  la,  chev. 

8 Hen.  V,  56 

„ Anna,  wife  of  Thomas  de  la,  chev. 

Assignatio 

dotis 

8 Hen.  V,  125 

„ Thomas,  son  and  heir  of  Thomas  de  la,  chev.  9 Hen.  VI,  45 

Polmark,  Thomas,  see  Preston,  John 

27  Edw.  Ill,  14* 

Pomeray,  Thomas 

12  Bich.  II,  77 

132 


Papers , fyc. 


Ponte  Fracto,  Robert  de 

Pontesyde,  Richard  de,  and  Matilda  his  wife 

Pontyngdon,  Thomas,  pro  John  Cary 

Ponynges,  Isabella,  wife  of  Richard  de,  chev. 


39  Hen.  Ill,  41 
33  Edw.  Ill,  24* 
44  Edw.  Ill,  13* 
J17  Rich.  II,  46 
(22  Rich.  II,  36 


25  Hen.  VI,  24 
18  Edw.  IV,  29 
Inq. 

1 8 Edw.  I,  64 
21  Rich.  II,  43 
21  Rich.  II,  109b 
12  Edw.  IV,  43 


,,  Robert,  mil. 

Pop  ham,  William 

Portbury,  Richard  de,  pro  Priory  of  Taunton. 
ad  q.  d. 

Portebrief,  William 
Porteshed,  Nicholas 
Portman,  Christiana 
Poulet,  Idonia,  wife  of  John,  sister  and  h.  of  Thomas, 

s.  and  h.  of  John  Kayle,  probatio  etatis  20  Rich.  II,  149 

„ Idonea,  wife  of  John  3 Hen.  IV,  42 

„ John,  and  Thomas  his  brother  1 Hen.  V,  54 

„ Constance,  wife  of  John,  chev.,  defunct  21  Hen.  VI,  22 

,,  John  App.,  9 Hen.  VII,  9 

Power,  Henry  2nd  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  35 

Poyntz,  Poynz,  Nicholas  1 Edw.  I,  17 

„ Hugh  1 Edw.  II,  46 

,,  Nicholas  de,  and  Matilda  and  Elizabeth  5 Edw.  II,  62 

„ Hugh  11  Edw.  Ill,  43 

„ Pointz,  Nicholas,  chev.  19  Edw.  Ill,  63 

Preston,  John  de  2 Edw.  Ill,  1* 

„ John  de,  feoffavit  Thomam  Polmark  of 

Preston,  chaplain  27  Edw.  Ill,  14* 

,,  John  de  2nd  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  40 

„ Stephen  14  Edw.  IV,  30 

Proudhou,  John  de,  pro  Richard  de  Stapleldon  3 Edw.  Ill,  22* 
Provost,  Thomas,  Prior  of  Stokecurcy  49  Edw.  Ill,  41* 

Pukynton,  capellan.  in  eccl.  de,  per  Gilbert  de  Knovill. 

Inq.  ad  q.  d.  29  Edw.  I,  134 

Punchard,  John,  and  Alice  his  wife,  lands  of  Matilda, 

wife  of  John  Meriet,  retinere  possint  5 Rich.  II,  90 
Putteneye,  John  Parson  of,  see  Middelnay,  Ralph  de 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset. 


133 


Pyke,  Nicholas,  and  Joan  his  wife 

Pym,  William,  of  Cannington 
Pyne,  Hawisia,  see  Bonevill,  Hawisia. 
,,  Hawisia  de 


2 Edw.  Ill,  15 
1st.  Nos.  76 
8 Hen.  VI,  23 

4 Edw.  Ill,  25 


Pyron,  Hugh,  of  Woketrowe,  pro  Abbot  of  Clive  20  Edw.  Ill,  44* 


Radeston,  John,  see  Mervet,  John 

,,  John,  and  Margaret  his  wife 


48  Edw.  Ill,  81 
19  Rich.  II,  39 


Radington,  Baldwin  de,  chev.,  and  William  Wrother  3 Hen.  IV,  17 
Ralegh,  Ralee,  John,  mil.,  and  Warre,  John  de  28  Edw.  Ill,  21 
„ ,,  John  de,  of  Netelcombe,  chev.  40  Edw.  Ill,  50 

„ Simon,  arm.  18  Hen.  VI,  67 

„ Joan,  wife  of  Simon,  arm.,  null.  ten.  terr.  33  Hen.  VI,  6 

„ William,  son  of  Walter  7 Edw.  IV,  36 

Redeclyve,  Nicholas  Boy],  Vicar  of,  see  Lyouns,  Thomas. 
Redmore,  Henry,  and  Caudel  Adam,  pro  Hospital  of 

Bridgwater  31  Edw.  Ill,  26* 

„ .Redemore,  Henry  de,  for  Hospital  of  St. 

John,  Bridgwater  40  Edw.  Ill,  36* 

Reigney,  John  20  Edw.  IV,  87 

Remyngham,  Hugo  de,  and  Matilda  his  wife  33  Edw.  Ill,  18* 
Revell,  Mabila  36  Hen.  Ill,  77 

Reynald,  John,  pro  Dean  of  Wells.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  20  Hen.  VI,  23 
Ripariis,  John  de  7 Edw.  I,  31 

Rixin,  Tholomeus  atte,  see  Gilbert,  G. 

Rodeney,  Isabella,  see  Pawlett,  Isabella. 

,,  Rodenay,  Alice,  see  Bone  vile,  Alice. 

„ Rodeney e,  Richard  de,  and  Lucy  his  wife, 

per  Walter,  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells  32  Edw.  I,  99 
„ Walter  de  3 Edw.  Ill,  44* 

„ Walter  de  8 Edw.  Ill,  50* 

,,  Rodeneye,  Walter  de,  pro  Prior  of  Bath  12  Edw.  Ill,  33* 

„ Walter  de,  pro  Ralph,  Bishop  of  Bath  and 

Wells,  and  Priory  of  Worsprynge  16  Edw.  Ill,  58* 

„ John,  chev.  2 Hen.  IV,  32 

„ Rodenay,  Walter,  chev.  1 Hen.  V,  51 

„ John,  chev  8 Hen.  V,  105 


134 


Papers , 8fc, 


Rodeney,  Rodenay,  Walter,  mil. 

6 Edw.  IY,  42 

„ „ Thomas,  arm.  9 and  10  Edw.  IY,  63 

,,  Thomas 

18  Edw.  IY,  4 

Rodeston,  John 

10  Rich.  II,  60 

Roger,  John 

20  Hen.  YI,  32 

,,  John,  sen. 

28  Hen.  YI,  34 

Rogers,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Thomas,  defunct 

15  Edw.  IY,  14 

„ Thomas,  serjeant-at-law 

18  Edw.  IY,  7 

Roges,  Simon,  of  Porlok 

34  Edw.  I,  31 

,,  John.  Jnquis.  tantum 

10  Rich.  II,  121 

„ ah.  Rokes,  John 

1 1 Rich.  II,  45 

Rokes,  Roges,  als.  John 

11  Rich.  II,  45 

Romesey,  Romesighe,  Walter  de 

7 Edw.  Ill,  16 

„ Walter,  s.  and  h.  of  John  de  App., 

20  Edw.  Ill,  63 

,,  Romesey e,  Margaret  de 

47  Edw.  Ill,  29 

„ Walter,  chev. 

5 Hen.  IY,  32 

,,  Romeseye,  Alice,  wife  of  Walter,  chev. 

6 Hen.  IY,  29 

„ Thomas 

13  Hen.  IY,  10 

„ Thomas,  chev. 

8 Hen.  Y,  89 

„ Romeseye,  Joan,  wife  of  Thomas,  chev. 

assignatio  dotis 

9 Hen.  Y,  76 

„ Walter,  arm. 

7 Hen.  YI,  26 

,,  Romeseye,  Walter  s.  and  h.  of  Walter, 

arm. 

8 Hen.  YI,  22 

Roose,  Alianora,  see  Somerset,  Alianora,  Duchess  of 
Rossedcnek,  Rossydenek,  Richard,  pro  Abbot  of 

Muchelney  34  Edw.  Ill,  43* 

„ Richard,  pro  Abbey  of  Muchelneye  42  Edw.  Ill,  25* 


Roudon,  Isabella,  wife  of  John,  mil. 
Roundel,  Roger 
Roynon,  John 

Rumesye,  John,  son  of  Galfrid  de,  fatuus 

Rus,  John  le 
Russell,  Robert 

„ Ralph,  cbev. 

„ Alice,  wife  of  Ralph 

„ Alice,  wife  of  Ralph,  mil. 


13  Hen.  YI,  32 
50  Edw.  Ill,  83 
5 Edw.  IY,  13 
27  Edw.  I,  101 
40  Hen.  Ill,  2 
25  Edw.  I,  28 
2nd  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  32 
2 Rich.  II,  46 
11  Rich.  II,  46 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  135 


Russell,  Thomas,  s.  and  h.  of  Maurice,  chev.,  and  Margaret, 
d.  and  h.  of  Thomas,  assignatio  dotis  of 
Joan,  wife  of  Thomas  10  Hen.  VI,  39 

Ryme,  Chaplain  of,  per  Richard  Mucheldenere  12  Rich.  II,  157 
Rysyngdon,  John  de,  Parson  of  Yevel,  see  Sambourn, 

Robert  de 

Ryvere,  Emma  and  Richard,  see  Merston,  Emma. 

„ John  de  la  8 Edw.  II,  27 

j,  Richard  de  la  2nd  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  27 


„ Thomas  de  la 

Ryvers,  Thomas  de,  and  William  Taillour 
„ Robert 

Sabyne,  Adam,  of  Bekyngdon 

St.  Aubyn,  John  de,  mil.,  and  Joan  his  wife 

„ John,  mil. 


48  Edw.  Til,  60 
36  Edw.  Ill,  52* 
19  Hen.  VI,  31 
44  Edw.  Ill,  62 
8 Rich.  II,  32 
( 8 Rich.  II,  32 
1 9 Rich.  II,  139 

St.  Barbe,  Seyntbarbe,  Thomas,  arm.  1 Rich.  Ill,  8 

St.  Clair,  St.  Clare,  Richard  de  Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  116 

„ St.  Claro,  Robert  de  2 Edw.  II,  72 

„ John,  fil.  John  de,  pro  John  Daubernoun  4 Edw.  Ill,  15 

„ John,  fil.  John  de  9 Edw.  Ill,  48 

„ St.  Clare,  Robert  de  10  Edw.  Ill,  56 

„ Saint  cler,  Alice,  wife  of  John  17  Edw.  Ill,  9 

„ Robert,  pro  Thomas  Waryn  25  Edw.  Ill,  7* 

„ Robert  de  33  Edw.  Ill,  105 

„ Elizabeth  2nd  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  51 

„ Seyncler,  Robert  42  Edw.  Ill,  51 

„ „ Robert  45  Edw.  Ill,  50 

„ Seyntcler,  Sibila,  wife  of  Robert  46  Edw.  Ill,  61 

„ Seintcler,  Sibila,  wife  of  Roger  48  Edw,  III,  64 

„ Seynclere,  Leticia,  wife  of  William  50  Edw.  Ill,  59 

„ „ John,  son  and  heir  of  William  51  Edw.  Ill,  41 

„ „ John,  chev.,  and  Mary  his 

wife  10  Rich.  TT,  40 

„ Seyntcler,  Mary,  wife  of  John,  chev. 

Assignat,  dotis.  11  Rich.  II,  47 

„ St.  Clere,  Philip  9 Hen.  IV,  44 


136 


Papers , 8fc. 


St.  Clair,  St.  Clere,  Margaret,  wife  of  Philip,  and 

John  their  son  1 Hen.  YI,  30 

„ Seyntclere,  Alice,  wife  of  Nicholas,  mil.  19  Edw.  IY,  28 
St.  John,  Alexander  de,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  feoff- 
averunt  Richard  de  Morcestre,  Parson 
of  Luccumbe  ' 13  Edw.  Ill,  23* 

,,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Alexander  19  Edw.  HI,  26 

,,  Oliver,  kntr,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  3 Rich.  II,  57 

„ Oliver  de,  chev.,  and  Elizabeth  liis  wife  4 Rich.  II,  48 

„ Oliver,  chev.  7 Rich.  II,  115 

„ Alexander  de,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  and 


8 Rich.  II,  114 
8 Hen.  IY,  21 
3 Hen.  YI,  12 
13  Edw.  IY,  31 


Richard  de  Morcestre,  placita 
,,  Henry 

,,  John,  mil. 

„ William 

„ of  Jerusalem,  see  Berkele,  Thomas  de 

St.  Laudo,  Joan,  d.  and  h.  of  John  and  Rich.  Pyke 

and  Joan  his  wife  1st  Nos.,  2 Edw.  Ill,  76 

St.  Laud,  Margaret,  wife  of  John  13  Hen.  IY,  30 

St.  Lo,  John,  arm.  26  Hen.  YI,  25 

St.  Mauro  or  Sancto  Mauro,  see  Seymour 
Salisbury,  Earls  of,  see  Monte  Acuto. 

Salmon,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Robert,  sister  and  heir  of 

Nicholas  le  Walssh  39  Edw.  Ill,  22 

Samborn,  Robert,  see  Meryet,  John  de 

„ Robert,  Parson  of  Yeovil  40  Edw.  Ill,  69 

,,  Sambourn,  Robert  de  22  Edw.  Ill,  3* 

,,  ,,  Robert  de  24  Edw.  Ill,  31* 

„ ,,  Robert  de,  pro  John  de  Rysyng- 

don,  Parson  of  Yevel  29  Edw.  Ill,  40* 
„ ,,  Robert  de,  Parson  of  Yeovil  45  Edw.  Ill,  66 

Sambroke,  Thomas,  null,  ten.  terr.  23  Hen.  YI,  45 

Sampson,  Thomas  7 Hen.  Y,  55 

Sancto  Vigore,  Thomas  de  23  Edw.  I,  12 

Sanford,  Wedegrave  and  Stawelle,  Homines  de  6 Edw.  I,  52 

„ Sandford,  Nicholas  and  Agnes  32  Edw.  Ill,  2* 

Saunzaver,  Hugh  12  Edw.  I,  18 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  137 


Say,  Lord  of,  see  Hervy,  Margaret. 

„ James,  Lord  of,  mil.,  rent  in  Bristol  29  Hen.  VI,  11 

Segere,  Thomas,  son  of  Agnes,  wife  of  Henry  of 

Yeovil,  fatuus  3 Hen.  IV,  19 

,,  Thomas,  son  of  Agnes,  wife  of  Henry  of 

Yeovil  8 Hen.  IV,  12 

Selenger,  Anna,  wife  of  Thomas,  see  Exeter,  Anna, 

Duchess  of 
Servington,  see  Cervington 

Seward,  William,  son  and  heir  of  Robert  28  Hen.  VI,  39 

Seymour,  Nicholas  de,  see  De  La  Mare,  Robert 
,,  Semore,  see  Zouch,  William 

„ Seymor,  Matilda,  late  wife  of  Ralph,  see  Meriet,  John 
„ St.  Mauro,  Laurence  de  25  Edw.  I,  13 

„ Sancto  Mauro,  Nicholas  de,  and  Eva  his 
wife,  de  licencio  feoff.,  pro  Walter  de 
Skydemore  35  Edw.  I,  141 

„ Sancto  Mauro,  Nicholas  de,  and  Muriella, 

feoffaverunt  John  Derby  31  Edw.  Ill,  16* 

,,  Nicholas  de  2nd  part,  35  Edw.  Ill,  52 

,,  Nicholas,  chev.  and  Nicholas  his 

son  2nd  part,  49  Edw.  Ill,  42 

„ Saymour,  Richard,  brother  and  heir  of 

Nicholas,  son  and  heir  of  Nicholas  50  Edw.  Ill,  96 
„ William,  and  Margaret  his  wife  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  58 

„ Seymor,  Cecilia,  wife  of  Roger,  sister  and 

heir  of  John  de  Beauchamp  17  Rich.  II,  52 

„ Sancto  Mauro,  Richard  de,  chev.  2 Hen.  IV,  55 

,,  St.  Maur,  Richard  de,  chev.,  and  Mary  his 

wife  10  Hen.  IV,  38 

,,  St.  Mauro,  Ela,  wife  of  Richard  de, 

chev.  11  Hen.  IV,  23 

,,  Robert  1 Hen.  V,  38 

„ St.  Mauro,  John  de,  mil.,  of  Castle  Cary  3 Hen.  V,  36 

„ „ Richard  and  Mary  2 Hen.  VI,  10 

„ ,,  John  de,  probatio  etatis  9 Hen.  VI,  74 

„ „ John  de,  mil.  17  Hen.  VI,  40 


Vol.  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


138 


Papers , §*c. 


Seymour,  St.  Mauro,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  35  Hen.  YI,  2 

,,  Seymoure,  John,  mil.  4 Edw.  IY,  32 

,,  Richard  13  Edw.  IY,  12 

,,  Seymoure,  Isabella,  widow  of  John  2 Rich.  Ill,  36 


Seys,  Philip 


Date  not  known,  App.,  Hen.  Ill,  81 


Shaftesbury  Abbey.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  32  Edw.  I,  166 

Sheote,  John,  pro  Priory  of  Bath  13  Rich.  II,  122 

Short,  John  22  Rich.  II,  42 

Shrewsbury,  Shropshire,  Margaret,  Yiscountess  7 Edw.  IY,  44 

Scolande,  Scothlaund,  Galfrid  de  15  Edw.  I,  11 

„ Galfrid  de  18  Edw.  I,  46 

„ Scolond,  Francis  de  12  Edw.  Ill,  19 

,,  Scoland,  Henry  41  Edw.  Ill,  55 

,,  Franco  de,  pro  John  Beauchamp  3 Rich.  II,  78 

Skydemore,  Walter  de,  see  Sancto  Mauro  35  Edw.  I,  141 

Slade,  Richard  and  Isabella  11  Rich.  II,  70 

Slegh,  John,  felo  34  Edw.  Ill,  4* 

Sm’ton  (?  Southampton),  Robert  de  28  Edw.  Ill,  40 

Solers,  John,  s.  and  h.  of  William,  deceased,  probatio 

7 Hen.  Y,  87 


11  Hen.  IY,  44 
22  Hen.  YI,  19 
33  Hen.  YI,  38 


etatis 

Somerset,  Earl  of,  John,  see  Beaufort,  Henry. 

„ John  Beaufort,  Earl  of 

,,  John  Beaufort,  Duke  of 

,,  Edmund  Beaufort,  Duke  of 

,,  Alianora,  Duchess  of,  wife  of  Thomas,  Lord 

Roose  7 Edw.  IY,  20 

Sormavile,  Joan  de  35  Edw.  I,  36 

South  Petherton,  John  de  Stafford,  pro  Parson  of 

chapel  of.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  21  Edw.  I,  118 

Sparewe,  John  5 Hen.  Y,  35 

Speke,  John,  mil.,  null.  ten.  terr.  20  Hen.  YI,  3 

Spelly,  Elias,  pro  Priory  of  Worspryng  7 Rich.  II,  91 

Spencer,  William,  for  Chantry  of  Long  Ashton,  near 

Bristol  1 Rich.  Ill,  50 

Stafford,  John  de,  pro  Parson  of  chapel  of  Suth- 

pederton.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  21  Edw.  I,  118 

,,  Hugh,  Earl  of  13  Rich.  II,  49 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  139 

Stafford,  Thomas,  Earl  of  1st  part,  16  Rich.  II,  27 

„ William,  brother  and  h.  of  Thomas,  Earl  of  22  Rich.  II,  46 

„ Edmund,  Earl  of  4 Hen.  IY,  41 

„ Humphry,  mil.,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  1 Hen.  Y,  41 

,,  Catherine,  wife  of  Humphry,  arm.  5 Hen.  Y,  58 

„ John,  mil.,  Lord  of  Botreaux  6 Hen.  YI,  39 

,,  Humphry,  mil.  20  Hen.  YI,  9 

„ William,  arm.  28  Hen.  YI,  14 

„ Humphry,  Earl  of  Devon  9 and  10  Edw.  IY,  30 

Stapeldon,  Richard  de,  see  Proudhou,  Johu. 

,,  Stapeldone,  Thomas  de,  pro  Dean  and  Chapter 

of  St.  Peter’s,  Exeter  2 Edw.  Ill,  93* 

„ Stapelton,  Brian  de,  see  Monte  Acuto,  William  de. 

,,  Stapilton,  John  and  Cecila  16  Edw.  Ill,  34 

Staple,  Parson  of,  see  Leystr,  Richard. 

Staunton,  William  de,  clericus  31  Edw.  I,  60 

„ John,  for  Chantry  of  Long  Ashton  1 Rich.  Ill,  50 

,,  William,  arm,  null.  ten.  terr.  7 Hen.  Y,  5 

Staverdale,  Priory  of,  see  Meysy,  Robert. 

,,  Priory  of,  see  Stourton,  John. 

Stawell,  Thomas,  mil.  17  Hen.  YI,  23 

,,  Homines  de,  see  Sanford. 

„ Stowell,  Galfrid,  and  Juliana  his  wife  37  Edw.  Ill,  68 

Stenyng,  Robert,  gent.  2 Rich.  Ill,  3 

Stoke  super  Hameldon,  pro  Capella  de  St.  Nicholas, 

per  John  de  Bello  Campo.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  30  Edw.  I,  72 
Stoke  under  Hampton  Manor,  extent  of.  Inq. 

adq.  d.  22  Hen.  YI,  5 

Stokelinche,  Ralph  de  4 Edw.  Ill,  104* 

Stokes,  William  de  22  Edw.  I,  61 

Stonford,  John  de,  and  Ralph  de  Mynty,  pro  Priory 

of  St.  John,  Wells  16  Edw.  Ill,  9* 

Stourton,  John  de,  and  Alice,  see  Pappeworth,  William  de. 

,,  William,  pro  Priory  of  Wytham  2nd  part,  15  Rich.  II,  54 
,,  William,  retinere  possit  19  Rich.  II,  97 

„ William  1 Hen.  Y,  49 

„ John,  pro  Dean  of  Wells.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  15  Hen.  YI,  5 


140 


Papers , 8fc. 


17  Hen.  VI,  6 

Inq. 

20  Hen.  VI,  22 
2 Edw.  IV,  18 
17  Edw.  IV,  55 
31  Edw.  VI,  13 
35  Hen.  VI,  6 
20  Edw.  IV,  52 
29  Edw.  Ill,  33 


Stourton,  John,  of  Preston,  arm.,  null.  ten.  terr. 

,,  John,  mil.,  pro  Prior  of  Staverdale. 
ad  q.  d. 

,,  John,  mil.,  of  Stourton 

„ William,  mil.,  of  Stourton 

Stradlyng,  Edward,  mil. 

„ Stradling,  Joan,  wife  of  John,  mil. 

„ Joan 

Stretche,  John,  and  Alice  his  wife 

,,  Streche,  John,  chev.,  feoffavit  John  Tomer  13  Rich.  IT,  82 
„ Strettche,  John,  mil.  14  Rich.  II,  42 

,,  Streche,  Catherine,  wife  of  John,  chev.  1 Hen.  VI,  29 

Strete,  Thomas,  and  Thomas  Payn,  retinere  possint  4 Rich.  II,  67 
Stucle,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Richard,  and  formerly  of  John 
Renville 

Sturmy,  William,  chev. 

Suffolk,  Earl  of,  see  Pole,  Michael  de  la. 

„ William,  formerly  Duke  of  28  Hen.  VI,  25 

Sullen,  Andrew  44  Hen.  Ill,  36 

Sulleny,  Galfrid  de  50  Hen.  HI,  31 

Surrey,  see  Joan,  wife  of  John  de  Warenna,  Earl  of. 

Sydenham,  Margaret,  see  Mutton,  Margaret. 

,,  Richard,  pro  Abbot  of  Athelygneye  44  Edw.  Ill,  31* 

„ John  de,  pro  St.  Mary  of  Bridgewater 

2nd  part,  16  Rich.  II,  101 


2 Hen.  V,  18 
5 Hen.  VI,  22 


8 Edw.  IV,  22 
9 and  10  Edw.  IV,  18 
9 and  10  Edw.  IV,  19 

12  Edw.  IV,  45 
36  Edw.  Ill,  52* 

13  Rich.  II,  103 


„ John,  sen.,  arm. 

,,  Walter 

,,  John 

„ Joan,  wife  of  John,  arm. 

Taillour,  William,  and  Thomas  de  Ryvers 
„ William,  appreciacione  terr  arum 

Talbot,  John,  see  Norton  St.  Philip. 

,,  Joan,  wife  of  John,  Viscount  Lisle,  a dau.  and 

h.  of  Thomas  Chedder  7 Edw.  IV,  42 

Tame,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Thomas,  arm.,  formerly  wife 

of  John  Pokeswell  11  Hen.  VJ,  28 

Taunton,  Archdeaconry  of,  see  Goldclyve,  Prior  of. 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  141 


Taunton,  Prior  of,  see  Bolevyle,  Nicholas  de. 

„ John  de  Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  127 

„ Abbey  of,  per  Philip  de  Thorlakeston.  Inq. 


ad  q.  d. 

„ Priory  of,  per  Richard  de  Portbury. 
ad  q.  d. 

Tewkesbury,  Abbot  of 
„ Abbot  of 

Thomas,  Richard,  arm. 

Thomer,  William,  chaplin 

„ Edith,  sister  of  John,  son  and  heir  of 
Richard 

Thorlakeston,  Philip  de,  pro  Abbey  of  Taunton. 

Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

Thorne,  Henry,  and  John  Bulbek,  pro  John  Canoun, 

deest.  4 Rich.  II,  70 

Thornhull,  Walter  de,  ex  concessione  Nicholas  de 

Moeles  9 Edw.  II,  35 

Thorpe,  Catherine,  wife  of  John  de,  mil.  f J ^ 

C 13  Rich.  II,  1d5 

„ Thorp,  John,  messuage  in  Bristol  9 and  10  Edw.  IV,  13 

2 Hen.  IY,  18 


18  Edw.  I,  63 
Inq. 

18  Edw.  I,  64 
7 Rich.  II,  85 
13  Rich.  II,  95 

2 Hen.  IY,  26 

3 Rich.  II,  82. 

10  Hen.  IY,  41 
18  Edw.  I,  63 


Thurmond,  Thosmound,  Agnes,  wife  of  Nicholas 


I 

l 13, 


Hen.  IY,  18 


6 Edw.  Ill,  4a* 
5 Hen.  Y,  40 
21  Hen.  YI,  45 

App.  5 Hen.  IY,  58 
21  Edw.  I,  11 


Tilly,  William,  hi.  Richard,  pro  Abbot  of  Glas 
tonbury 

Tiptoft,  Phillipa,  wife  of  John,  chev. 

,,  Typtot,  John,  mil. 

Tomer,  John,  see  Streche,  John,  chev. 

Torynton,  John,  extent , 

Tour,  Thomas  de  la 

„ Hugh,  s.  and  h.  of  Thomas,  prohatio  etatis  3 Edw.  II,  69 

„ William  de  la,  s.  and  h.  of  Hugh,  probatio 

etatis  9 Edw.  Ill,  66 

,,  Toure,  William  de  la  24  Edw.  Ill,  18 

Tournament,  John  and  Cecilia,  pro  William  de 

Pappeworth  41  Edw.  Ill,  28* 

Travers,  Lucy,  wife  of  Richard,  deest  46  Edw.  Ill,  2* 


142 


Papers,  8fc. 


Tregoze,  John  de  28  Edw.  I,  43 

Trevenaunt,  John,  clericus,  see  Boleyn,  Thomas 
Trewythosa,  Simon  de  13  Edw.  Ill,  3 

Trevylyan,  John,  arm,  App.  8 Hen.  VII,  7 

Trippe,  Stephen.  Parson  of  Canmell  22  Edw.  Ill,  20* 

Trivet,  Thomas,  mil.  Appreciacione  terra- 

rum  2nd  part,  15  Bich.  II,  10 


Tromyn,  Humphrey 
Trowe,  Hugh,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife 
Tryl,  Walter  de 

Try  vet,  Nicholas,  see  Pavely,  Robert  de. 

,,  Thomas 

,,  William 

,,  Thomas,  son  of  William  and  Joan  his  wife 

,,  Thomas,  chev.,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife 

,,  John,  chev. 

„ Elizabeth,  wife  of  Thomas,  mil.,  defunct 

Tuchet,  Elizabeth,  see  Audeley,  Elizabeth. 

„ John,  chev. 

Turbervile,  Cecilia,  see  Atte  Eorde,  Valentine. 

„ Cecilia  de  1st  part,  15  Bich.  II,  103 

,,  Cecilia,  sister  and  h.  of  John  Beauchamp 

2nd  part,  15  Bich.  II,  27 


25  Edw.  Ill,  69 
App.  8 Hen.  VII,  9 
2 Edw.  ITT,  142* 


9 Edw.  I.  37 
8 Edw.  II,  36 
10  Edw.  II,  75 
12  Bich.  II,  52 
22  Bich.  II,  45 
12  Hen.  VI,  35 

10  Hen.  IV,  47 


Turney,  John 
„ Walter 

Turri,  Hugh  de 
Tyrell,  John 

,,  Hugh,  chev.  and  Katherine  his  wife 
Ufflete,  John,  s.  and  h.  of  Edmond,  arm.. 
etatis 

Urlegh,  Agnes,  dau.  and  li.  of  Alice 
„ see  also  Verlegh. 

Urtiaco,  Urtyaco,  Sabina  de 
„ ,,  Sabina  de 

„ Henry  de 

„ Walter  de,  and  Matilda  his  wife 


19  Edw.  IV,  16 
19  Edw.  IV,  17 
11  Edw.  I,  23 
34  Edw.  Ill,  66 
4 Bich.  II,  54 
probatio 

26  Hen.  VI,  36 
8 Hen.  IV,  10 

38  Hen.  Ill,  43 
42  Hen.  Ill,  22 
22  Edw.  I,  80 
34  Edw.  I,  49 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  143 


Urtiaco,  Henry  de  15  Edw.  II,  50? 

This  Inquisition  is  placed  under  15  Edw  III, 
no.  35,  but  was  found  on  examination  (for 
the  purposes  of  elucidating  the  pedigree  of 
the  Urtiaco’s,  as  set  forth  in  the  Transac- 
tions of  the  Som.  Arch.  Society,  vol.  xlii, 

26 — 55)  to  belong  really  to  15  Edw.  II. 

„ Sibilla,  wife  of  Henry  17  Edw.  II,  3 

„ John  de  9 Rich.  II,  127 

Valeye,  Roland  de  la  3 Edw.  II,  5b 

Valle  Torta,  John  de,  pro  Carmelite  Brothers  of 

Bristol  17  Edw.  I,  35 

Vallibus,  Ralph  de.  (Reginald  de)  in  brevi.  12  Edw.  I,  37 

Veel,  Peter  and  Katherine  de  17  Edw.  Ill,  55 

Veer,  Margaret,  wife  of  George,  mil.  12  Edw.  IV,  40 

Verlegh,  Juliana  11  Rich.  II,  52 


see  also  Urlegh. 


Veym,  William  de,  deest 
Vinonia,  Joan  de,  wife  of  Reginald  til.  Peter 
Vivon,  Hugh  de 

Vynour,  William,  chaplain,  for  Priory  of  Bath 
Wac,  John 
Wadham,  John,  chev. 

„ William,  null.  ten.  terr. 

„ John.  arm. 

Wake,  John, 

,,  John  de 
,,  Thomas,  arm. 

Wale,  Richard,  outlaw 
Waleraund,  Robert 
,,  Matilda 

Walgrave,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Warin,  defunct 
Walissh,  see  Walshe 
Walraund,  John  and  Robert,  and  Isabella 
Walshe,  Walssb,  Nicholas  le,  see  Salmon,  Elizabeth 


30  Edw.  I,  28 
8 Edw.  II,  42 
28  Hen.  Ill,  22,  25 
41  Edw.  Ill,  15* 
Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  129 

13  Hen.  IV,  39 
30  Hen.  VI,  27 

14  Edw.  IV,  19 
22  Edw.  Ill,  46 
34  Edw.  Ill,  69 

38  and  39,  Hen.  VI,  43 
8 Hen.  IV,  70 


1 Edw.  I,  6 
1 Edw.  I,  35 
19  Hen.  VI,  41 


Adam  le. 
John  le 


Inq.  ad  q.  d. 


2 Edw.  II,  80 

33  Edw.  I,  206 
7 Edw.  Ill,  26 


144 


Papers,  8fc. 


Walshe,  Walissh,  Nicholas  le,  of  Podyngton  13  Edw.  Ill,  23 
„ Walisshe,  Nicholas  le  13  Edw.  Ill,  45 

„ Walssh,  Joan  and  Elizabeth,  dans,  and  heirs 

of  Nicholas  le  24  Edw.  Ill,  45 

„ Walyssh,  Roesa,  wife  of  John  la  2nd  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  68 
Walsymgham,  John  de,  for  Hospital  of  St.  John, 

Bridgwater  17  Edw.  Ill,  58* 

Walton,  Isabella,  wife  of  Alan  de  37  Edw.  Ill,  76 

Wamburgh,  Robt.  de,  pro  Abbot  of  Glaston.  2 Edw.  Ill,  129* 
,,  see  also  Wauberghe. 


Wardon,  John  Middelton,  Parson  of,  see  Latymer,  Thomas 
Warr,  Lord  de  la,  see  West,  Richard 

Richard  de  la  Date  not  known,  App.,  Hen.  Ill,  91 

Ware,  Roger  la  14  Edw.  II,  32 

John  la,  pro  Warino  le  Latimer  13  Edw.  Ill,  3* 

Margaret,  wife  of  John  le  1st  part,  23  Edw.  Ill,  90 

John  le,  and  John  Ralee,  mil.  28  Edw.  Ill,  21 

Richard,  s.  and  h.  of  John  le  Warre  and  Joan 

his  wife  42  Edw.  Ill,  71 

Roger  le,  chev.,  and  Alinor  his  wife  44  Edw.  Ill,  68 

John  de  la,  chev.,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  22  Rich.  II,  53 
John 

Thomas  la 

Joan,  wife  of  John,  arm.,  null.  ten.  terr. 

Robert 

Richard,  arm.,  of  Hestercombe 
Warrena,  John  de,  Earl  of  Surrey 

,,  Warenna,  Joan,  wife  of  John,  Earl  of  Surrey 

2nd  pt.,  35  Edw.  Ill,  79 

Warmbrugge,  Richard,  Parson  of  St.  John’s,  Bristol, 


1 Hen.  IY,  58 
5 Hen.  YI,  54 
17  Hen.  YI,  7 
5 Edw.  IY,  17 
22  Edw.  IY,  37 
21  Edw.  Ill,  58 


per  John  Knighton,  c;ericus 
Warmewell,  Roger,  and  Felicia  his  wife 
Warmyll,  John 

Warwick,  Dukes  and  Earls  of,  see  Beauchamp. 
Waryn,  Thomas,  see  St.  Clair,  Robert. 
Wattis,  Thomas 

„ Wattys,  Thomas,  deest 


13  Rich.  II,  118 
10  Rich.  II,  51 

14  Hen.  YI,  31 


38  and  39  Hen.  YI,  1 
3 Edw.  IY,  2 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset . 145 


Watty  ssche,  Laurence,  see  De  La  Mare,  Thomas. 

Wauberghe,  Robert,  pro  Abbot  of  Glaston.  2 Edw.  Ill,  99* 
„ see  also  Warn  burgh. 

Waye,  Emma  de  Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  125 

Wayte,  William  le,  see  Glamorgan,  Peter. 

,,  John  la  2nd  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  72 

,,  Guido,  son  of  John  46  Edw.  Ill,  69 

Weborne,  John,  for  College  of  Yeovil.  Tnq.  ad  q.  d.  17  Edw.  IV,  61 
Wedegrave,  Homines  de,  see  Sanford. 

Wedergrave,  Nicholas  de  1 Edw.  Ill,  14* 

Weld,  Welde,  William,  pro  Priory  of  St.  John,  Wells 

28  Edw.  Ill,  16* 


,,  Richard,  of  Yevele,  extenta  terrarum  4 Rich.  II,  78 

Wellington,  John,  brother  and  h.  of  Ralph,  who  was 

s.  and.  h.  of  John  de,  mil.  20  Rich.  II,  55 

,,  Welington,  John,  and  John  son  of  John 

Wrothe  13  Hen.  IY,  25 

Wells,  see  Cristesham,  Nicholas 

,,  Dean  and  Chapter  of,  see  Gardener,  Peter 

„ Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Andre  ws,  see  Godele,  H.  de 

„ Dean  and  Chapter  of  Cathedral,  see  Boieyn,  Thomas 
,,  Dean  of,  see  Reynald,  John 
,,  Dean  of,  see  Stourton,  John 
,,  Priory  of  St.  John,  see  Stonford,  John  de 

,,  Priory  of  St.  John,  see  Welde,  William. 

,,  St.  Andrew’s  Church,  per  Walter,  Bishop  of 


34  Edw.  I,  179 


de 


Bath  and  Wells.  Inq.  ad  q.  d. 

,,  Dean  of,  St.  Andrews,  per  Hamelinus 
Godelee 

,,  Priory  of  St.  John,  per  Thomas  Lyons 
Wellesley,  Welleslegh,  William  de 

,,  William  de 

,,  Welleslegh,  Thomas  de 

,,  Wellesleye,  Thomas  de 

,,  Welleslegh,  Philip  de,  feoffavit  Elias  de 

Corscombe  13  Edw.  Ill,  50* 

,‘,  „ Philip  de  18  Edw.  Ill,  17* 


35  Edw.  I,  117 
19  Rich.  II,  86 

37  Hen.  Ill,  15 

38  Hen.  Ill,  13 
17  Edw.  I,  4 

3 Edw.  Ill,  9* 


Vol.  XL1  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


t 


146 


Papers , Sfc. 


35  Edw.  I,  17 
16  Hen.  YI,  22 
10  Rich  II,  52 
19  Rich.  II,  49 
4 Hen.  Y,  28 
29  Hen.  YI,  21 
16  Edw.  IY,  62 
28  Hen.  YI,  23 
36  Hen.  YI,  31 


Wellesley,  Welleslegh,  Philip  de,  pro  Priory  of 

Bruton  19  Edw.  Ill,  66* 

„ Philip  de  22  Edw.  Ill,  43 

Weolegh,  see  Burnell,  Hugh 
Wermewelle,  William  de,  and  Alianora  his  wife 
Wermyll,  John 
West,  Thomas,  chev. 

,,  Alice,  wife  of  Thomas,  mil. 

,,  Thomas,  chev. 

,,  Reginald,  mil. 

,,  Richard,  Lord  de  la  Warr,  mil. 

Westbury,  William,  sen. 

,,  * William 

Weston,  Gundreda  de,  and  Roesia  de  Weston,  pro 

Prior,  etc.,  of  Bath.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  33  Edw.  I,  240 
Weyland,  William  de  1 Edw.  Ill,  79 

,,  Weylond,  John  chev.,  and  Burga  his  wife  10  Rich.  II,  47 

,,  ,,  Burga,  wife  of  John,  chev.  12  Rich.  II,  55 

,,  ,,  John,  chev.,  and  Burga  his  wife 

1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  69 

,,  ,,  John,  chev.,  and  Burga  his  wife 

breve  tantum  20  Rich.  II,  96 

Whaddon,  Humphry  de,  deest  14  Edw.  I,  29 

Whalisburgh,  Thomas  21  Edw.  IY,  41 

Whateley,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Richard  12  Edw.  IY,  16 

Whittockesmede,  William  App.,  35  Hen.  YIII,  1 

Whiteley,  Agnes,  wife  of  William,  defunct  14  Edw.  IY,  5 

Whitwode,  John  21  Edw.  IY,  23 

WRyton,  John  50  Edw.  Ill,  64 

Wigbere,  Robert,  see  Bridgewater,  Hospital  of. 

,,  Wygheberg,  Richard  55  Hen.  Ill,  12 

,,  Wigbergh,  Elena  de  Uncertain,  Hen.  Ill,  123 

, , Wyggebere,  William  de,  and  Joan  his  wife  18  Edw.  II,  64 

,,  Wygebeare,  Richard  de,  and  Matilda  his  wife 


Wygebere,  Richard  de 
Wykebere,  Matilda 


1 Edw.  Ill,  35* 
1 Edw.  Ill,  89* 
33  Edw.  Ill,  23 


On  the  Inquisitiones  Post  Mortem  for  Somerset.  147 


Willyng,  William,  for  Abbey  of  Muchelneye  40  Edw,  III,  25* 
Wilts,  Amicia,  wife  of  James,  Earl  of  35  Hen.  VI,  16 

,,  James,  Earl  of  1 Edw.  IY,  29 

Winchester,  Bishop  of,  pro  Hospital  of  St.  Cross, 

near  Winchester.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  24  Hen.  YI,  13 
Winslade,  Stephen  6 Hen.  IY,  35 

Wirkele,  William,  pro  Priory  of  St.  John,  Jerusalem 

2nd  part,  15  Rich.  II,  68 


Witham,  Priory  of,  see  Cheddre,  Robert. 

,,  ,,  ,,  Erlestoke,  Thomas. 

,,  ,,  ,,  Mershton,  John  de. 

,,  ,,  ,,  per  William  Stourton 

2nd  part,  15  Rich.  II,  54 
Wivelescombe,  John  6 Hen.  Y,  22 

Wolavington,  Henry  de  16  Edw.  I,  64 

,,  Wolavyngton,  Gilbert  de,  pro  Clyve 

Abbey.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.  27  Edw.  I,  82 

Wolvesford,  Baldwin,  and  John  Chapei  1st  part,  15  Rich.  II,  67 
Worcester,  Godefrid,  Bishop  of  30  Edw.  I,  41 

Wormbrugge,  Parson  of  St.  John’s,  Bristol,  see 
Knyghton,  John,  cler. 


Worsope,  John 

Worspryng,  Prior  of,  see  Cary,  Henry. 

,,  Priory  of,  see  Rodeney,  Walter  de. 

,,  ,,  ,,  Spelley,  Elias. 

,,  Worsprynge,  Priory  of 

Wotton,  Nicholas,  see  Organ,  Emote. 

,,  Nicholas 

Wrofton  or  Wroston,  William 
Wroth,  William,  arm. 

„ Wrothe,  John,  son  of  John,  and  John 

lington 

,,  William 

„ Wrothe,  John,  arm. 

Wrotham,  Richard  de 
„ Richard  de 

Wrother,  William  and  Baldwin  de  Radington 


14  Edw.  IY,  34 


32  Edw.  Ill,  88* 

32  Hen.  YI,  27 
10  Hen.  IY,  50 
10  Hen.  IY,  18 
Wel- 

13  Hen.  IY,  25 
28  Hen.  YI,  6 
20  Edw.  IY,  28 
35  Hen.  Ill,  47 
37  Hen.  Ill,  12 
3 Hen.  IY,  17 


148 


Papers^  fyc. 


Wroxhale,  Galfrid  de,  see  Champflour. 

,,  Galfrid  de 
Wychele,  Henry  de 
Wydeford,  John,  extenta  terrarum 

,,  John,  appreciatione  terrarum 


5 Edw.  I,  56 
3 Edw.  Ill,  19 
5 Eich.  II,  73 
5 Eich.  II,  82 


,,  John  and  Margaret  his  wife,  appreciacione 

terrarum,  13  Eich.  II,  104 

Wydeslade,  Eichard  de  29  Edw.  Ill,  22 

Wyggeton,  Walter  de  14  Edw.  I,  15 

,,  John  de,  and  Dionisia  his  wife  8 Edw.  II,  61 

Wyke,  Joan,  wife  of  Eobert,  daughter  of  Thomas  Chastelyn, 
kin  and  heiress  of  Emma,  wife  of  Walter 
Park,  probatio  etatis  1st  part,  36  Edw.  Ill,  136 
„ John  12  Hen.  IY,  23 

„ John  11  Edw.  IV,  24 

Wykeham,  William,  arm.,  null.  ten.  terr.  35  Hen.  VI,  29 

Wykes,  Eichard  1 Eich.  Ill,  22 

Wyking,  Walter  19  Edw.  I,  32 

,,  John,  pro  priory  of  Bruton  1st  part,  16  Eich.  II,  105 
Wylkyns,  John,  sen.,  of  Bristol,  pro  John  Crome,  Vicar 

of  St.  Nicholas,  Bristol  6 Eich.  II,  137 

Wyndesore,  William  de,  chev.  8 Eich.  II,  38 

Wythele,  Eeginald  de 
Yelverton,  Eobert,  chev.  null.  ten.  terr. 

Yeovil,  College  of,  see  Weborn,  John. 

„ Jevele,  J ohn  Latton,  prepositus  of 

Yonge,  Thomas 
York,  Archbishop  of,  see  Giffard,  Walter. 

,,  Phillippa,  Duchess  of,  formerly  wife  of  Walter 

Eitz  Wauter,  mil.  10  Hen.  VI,  45 

Zouch,  William  la,  of  Haryngworth,  mil.  19  Eich.  II,  52 

William  le,  chev.  3 Hen.  V,  46 

Zouche,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  la,  chev.  4 Hen.  VI,  7 
,,  William,  mil.,  null.  ten.  terr.  2 Edw.  IV,  29 

William,  mil.,  Lord  Zouch  and  Semore  8 Edw.  IV,  53 
Zouche,  Catherine,  wife  of  William,  mil.  11  Edw.  IV,  40 


4 Edw.  II,  23 
7 Hen.  VI,  1 


2nd  part,  15  Eich.  II,  136 
17  Edw.  IV,  26 


€&e  Division  of  t&e  TBistiopticbs  of  Wimtx. 


A PAPER  BY  THE  RIGHT  REV.  W.  R.  BROWNLOW,  U.D., 
Bishop  of  Clifton. 


THE  Proceedings  of  the  Somerset  Archaeological  Society 
do  not  contain  any  notice  of  a remarkable  letter  of  St. 
Dunstan,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  which  was  published  in 
1895  by  Messrs.  Napier  and  Stevenson,  among  the  “ Early 
Charters,”  called  the  Crawford  Collection,  in  the  Bodleian 
Library.  This  letter,  which  they  tell  us  “ has  hitherto  been 
entirely  unknown,”  throws  considerable  light  on  what  Bishop 
Stubbs  calls  “ one  of  the  most  vexed  questions  of  Anglo-Saxon 
history  ”— the  Division  of  the  Bishopricks  of  W essex.  The 
MS.  is  written  in  characters  of  the  end  of  the  tenth  or  begin- 
ning of  the  eleventh  century.  It  is  probably  a copy,  for  it  is 
among  documents  relating  to  Crediton,  where  it  was  likely  to 
be  preserved  after  the  union  of  the  Sees  of  Cornwall  (St. 
Germans)  and  Crediton.  I propose  to  give  Professor  Napier’s 
translation  of  the  Saxon  letter,  and  then  proceed  to  show  its 
bearing  on  the  bishopricks  mentioned.  Dunstan’s  name  is  not 
mentioned  in  it ; but  it  is  addressed  to  King  AEthelred  II  (the 
Unready),  and  has  to  do  entirely  with  the  South-West  of 
England,  so  it  could  not  have  been  written  by  Oswald,  Arch- 
bishop of  York.  The  letter  runs  thus  : — 

“ This  writing  the  Archbishop  sends  to  his  lord,  ^Ethelred 
the  king.  It  happened  that  the  West  Welsh  (the  inhabitants 


150 


Papers , &fc. 


of  Cornwall)  rose  against  King  Ecgbriht.  The  king  then 
went  thither  and  subdued  them,  and  gave  a tenth  part  of  the 
land  (to  God)  and  disposed  of  it  as  it  seemed  fit  to  him.  He 
gave  to  Sherborne  three  estates,  Polltun,  Caellwic,  Land- 
withan.  And  that  remained  so  for  many  years  until  heathen 
hordes  overran  this  country  and  occupied  it.  Then  there  came 
another  time  after  that,  when  the  teachers  fell  away,  and 
departed  from  England  on  account  of  the  unbelief  that  had 
then  assailed  it ; and  all  the  kingdom  of  the  W est  Saxons 
stood  for  seven  years  without  a bishop.  Then  Formosus  the 
Pope  sent  from  Rome,  and  admonished  King  Edward  and 
archbishop  Plegmund  to  amend  this.  And  they  did  so  ; with 
the  counsel  of  the  Pope  and  all  the  witan  of  the  English 
nation  they  appointed  five  bishops  where  there  were  formerly 
two:  one  at  Winchester,  that  was  Frytliestan;  a second  at 
Ramsbury,  that  was  ADthelstan  ; a third  at  Sherborne,  that 
was  W aerstan  ; a fourth  at  W ells,  that  was  HCthelm  ; a fifth 
at  Crediton,  that  was  Eadulf.  And  to  him  (Eadulf)  were 
assigned  three  estates  in  Wales  (z.e.,  West  Wales,  or  Corn- 
wall), to  be  under  the  authority  of  the  people  of  Devon, 
because  they  (the  Cornish)  had  formerly  been  disobedient, 
without  awe  of  the  West  Saxons.  And  Bishop  Eadulf  enjoyed 
those  lands  during  his  life,  and  Bishop  Aethelgar  in  like 
manner.  Then  it  happened  that  King  AEthelstan  gave  to 
Conan  the  Bishopric  as  far  as  the  Tamar  flowed  ( i.e .,  Corn- 
wall). Then  it  happened  that  King  Eadred  commanded 
Daniel  to  be  consecrated,  and  gave  the  estates,  as  the  witan 
advised  him,  to  the  bishop-stool  at  St.  Germans.  Afterwards, 
when  King  Edgar  bade  me  consecrate  Wulfsige,  he  and  all 
our  bishops  said  that  they  did  not  know  who  could  possess  the 
estates  with  greater  right  than  the  bishop  of  the  diocese, 
seeing  that  he  was  loyal,  and  preached  the  belief  of  God 
aright,  and  loved  his  lord  (the  king).  If,  then,  this  bishop 
does  so  now,  I know  not  why  he  should  not  be  worthy  of  the 
estates,  if  God  and  our  lord  (the  king)  grant  them  to  him. 


The  Division  of  the  Bishopricks  of  Wessex.  151 

For  it  does  not  seem  to  us  that  any  man  can  possess  them 
more  rightfully  than  he,  and  if  any  (other)  man  take  them  to 
himself,  may  he  have  them  without  God’s  blessing  or  ours.” 
(pp.  106-7.) 

Before  mentioning  the  great  difficulties  that  this  letter  by 
no  means  settles,  it  may  be  well  to  point  out  that  it  proves  that 
the  account  of  the  Division  of  the  Wessex  Bishopricks,  as 
given  by  William  of  Malmesbury,  was  known  in  the  time  of 
St.  Dunstan.  Bishop  Stubbs,  before  the  discovery  of  this 
letter,  was  of  opinion  that  the  statement  which  is  found  in  the 
records  of  the  Cathedrals  of  Exeter,  Winchester,  and  Canter- 
bury “ acquired  its  present  form  soon  after  the  middle  of  the 
eleventh  century.”  (Malmesbury,  Gesta  reg . ii,  p.  Ivi.)  St. 
Dunstan  died  in  988,  and  he  must  have  consecrated  Wulfsige 
after  975,  in  which  year  his  predecessor’s  signature  as  bishop 
appears  for  the  last  time.  The  letter  apparently  contemplates 
a successor  to  Wulfsige.  That  successor  was  Ealdred,  who 
must  have  been  consecrated  before  988,  although  his  first 
signature  appears  in  a document  of  993.  It  also  proves  that 
iEthelstan  bestowed  on  Conan  the  bishopric  of  Cornwall, 
which  had  been  stated  by  Leland,  although  the  Charter  of 
.ZEthelstan,  on  the  authority  of  which  he  had  rested,  is  now 
lost.  Another  point  is  proved  by  it,  viz.,  that  Daniel,  a monk 
of  Glastonbury,  had  been  appointed  by  Eadred  bishop  of 
Cornwall.  He  is  said  by  Malmesbury  to  have  died  in  956.* 

The  three  manors,  to  use  the  Norman  term,  given  to  the 
Bishoprick  of  Sherborne  are  called  Polltun,  Caellwic  and 
Landwithan.  Polltun  is  called  Pauntona  in  the  Exeter 

* The  editors  note  : “ The  first  four  Bishops  of  the  West-Saxon  See  of  Corn- 
wall are  therefore:  (1)  Conan,  consecrated  under  Aethelstan  (a.d.  926  ?); 
Daniel,  consecrated  under  Eadred,  signs  955  to  959  ; (3)  Comoere,  who  appears 
in  the  Bodmin  manumissions  as  ‘ Comuyre  presbyter  ’ under  Eadred  (946-955), 
and  as  bishop  under  Edgar  (959-975) ; (4)  Wulfsige,  consecrated  under  Eadgar  ; 
signatures  963  to  980.  That  Comoere  preceded  Wulfsige  is  evident  from  the 
fact  proved  by  this  letter,  that  the  latter  survived  King  Eadgar,  in  whose  reign 
he  was  consecrated  ; hence  Comoere,  who  is  mentioned  as  bishop  in  the  time 
of  this  king,  must  have  been  bishop  during  the  earlier  years  of  the  reign.” 
(p.  104,  n.) 


152 


Papers , Sfc. 


Domesday,  where  it  is  held  by  the  Bishop  of  Exeter.  Mr. 
Warren  identifies  it  with  the  manor  of  Paw  ton,  in  the 
parish  of  St.  Breock,  a few  miles  from  Padstow.  Caelling  is 
called  Caelling  in  the  statement  above  referred  to,  Cain  niton  a 
in  the  Exeter  Domesday,  and  is  identified  by  Mr.  W arren  as 
Callington,  a small  town  between  Launceston  and  St.  Ives. 
L and wi than  is  spelt  Languitetona  in  the  Exeter  Domesday, 
and  was  held  by  the  Bishop  of  Exeter.  Mr.  Warren  says  it 
is  the  present  parish  of  Lawhitton  in  the  borough  of  Launces- 
ton, which  is  now  the  property  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Com- 
missioners, having  remained  connected  with  the  Bishoprick  of 
Exeter.  The  three  estates  seem,  after  the  Danish  invasion,  to 
have  been  transferred  from  the  Bishoprick  of  Sherborne  to 
that  of  St.  Germans,  or  Cornwall ; then  to  have  been  merged 
in  that  of  Crediton ; and  finally  to  have  formed  part  of  the 
property  of  the  See  of  Exeter  at  the  time  when  St.  Edward 
the  Confessor  obtained  from  the  Pope  permission  to  remove 
the  See  from  Crediton  to  Exeter.  The  editors  note  that  this 
letter  “ enables  us  to  add  another  name  to  the  Bishops  of  Corn- 
wall, namely  that  of  Daniel,  who,  we  learn,  was  consecrated  at 
the  command  of  King  Eadred  (946-955).  This  is  no  doubt  the 
Bishop  Daniel  who  signs  from  955  to  959,  who,  Bishop  Stubbs 
suggested,  was  Bishop  of  Rochester  or  Selsey.  Daniel,  Bishop 
of  Cornwall,  Is  probably  the  Bishop  Daniel  who  is  named  in  an 
Exeter  manumission  of  King  Ead wig’s.  As  he  was  appointed 
under  Eadred,  and  signs  through  Eadwig’s  reign,  he  must  have 
preceded  Comoere,  who  subscribes  in  the  time  of  King  Edgar  ” 
(p.  104). 

The  principal  value  of  the  letter,  however,  consists  in  its 
authentication,  in  the  time  of  St.  Dunstan,  of  the  record  given 
by  William  of  Malmesbury.  That  record  is  as  follows 

“In  the  904th  year  from  the  Nativity  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  Formosus,  the  apostolic  Pontiff  of  the  Roman  Church, 
sent  to  King  Edward  in  the  land  of  the  English,  moved  with 
great  anger  and  devotion,  and  called  down  upon  him  and  all  his 


The  Division  of  the  Bishopricks  of  Wessex.  153 

(counsellors)  a malediction  in  place  of  the  benediction  which 
blessed  Gregory  had  formerly  sent  to  the  nation  of  the  English 
by  the  holy  man  Augustine — unless  he  and  his  bishops  insti- 
tuted (pastors  for)  the  dioceses  destitute  of  bishops,  according 
to  the  tradition  which  had  been  delivered  to  the  nation  of  the 
English  by  the  See  of  St.  Peter.  For  the  country  of  the 
Gewissi  had  for  seven  years  been  entirely  without  any  bishop. 

Upon  this,  King  Edward  assembled  a Synod  of  the  senators 
of  the  nation  of  the  English,  over  which  Archbishop  Plegmund 
presided,  and  recited  to  the  King,  and  discussed  the  severe 
words  of  the  apostolic  message  which  blessed  Pope  Formosus 
sent.  Then  the  King,  with  his  (counsellors)  and  Plegmund 
the  Archbishop  took  salutary  counsel,  applying  to  themselves 
the  sentence  of  our  Lord,  “ the  harvest  indeed  is  great,  but  the 
labourers  are  few.”  They  appointed  separate  bishops  to  each 
of  the  tribes  of  the  Gewissi,  and  assigned  an  episcopal  resi- 
dence (episcopia)  to  each  ; and  what  before  had  two,  they 
divided  into  five. 

“ This  resolution  having  been  passed,  Archbishop  Plegmund 
returned  to  Rome  with  honourable  gifts,  and  with  great  humil- 
ity appeased  the  apostolic  (Lord)  Formosus,  announced  the 
decrees  of  the  King,  and  the  senate  of  the  country,  which 
greatly  pleased  his  apostolic  (lordship). 

“Returning  home,  in  the  city  of  Canterbury  he  ordained  seven 
bishops  to  seven  churches  in  one  day.  Frithestan  to  the 
Church  of  Winchester ; iEthelstan  to  the  Church  of  Corvin- 
ensis  (really  Ramsbury) ; Waerstan  to  the  Church  of  Sher- 
borne; ACthelm  to  the  Church  of  Wells;  Eadulf  to  the 
Church  of  Crediton.  Moreover,  they  gave  him  in  addition 
three  villas  in  Cornwall,  named  Polltun,  Caelling,  and  Land- 
withan,  in  order  that  every  year  from  thence  he  should  visit 
the  people  of  Cornwall  to  repress  their  errors.  For  of  old 
they  used  to  resist  the  truth  as  much  as  they  could,  and  did 
not  obey  the  apostolic  decrees.  Moreover  (Archbishop  Pleg- 
mund) ordained  two  bishops  for  the  South  Saxons,  Beorneh, 


Vol.  XL IV  ( Third  Scries,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


u 


154  Papers , 8fc. 

a fitting  man,  and  for  the  Mercians  Coenulf  for  the  city  which 
is  called  Dorchester. 

“All  this  the  apostolic  Pope  confirmed  in  Synods  at  St. 
Peter’s  Church,  and  condemned  for  ever  anyone  who  should 
change  this  salutary  resolution.” 

William  of  Malmesbury,  not  knowing  the  origin  of  the 
name  44  Corvinensis ,”  supposed  it  to  be  meant  for  44  Cornu - 
biensis ,”  and  so  made  ACthelstan  Bishop  of  Cornwall.  The 
late  Canon  Jones,  of  Bradford-on- A von,  gives  the  following 
explanation  of  how  it  came  to  mean  Ramsbury  : — 

44  The  Bishops  of  Ramsbury  are  usually  styled  4 Episcopi 
Corvinensis  Ecclesice .’  The  town  chosen  as  their  See  is  in  the 
north-east  of  Wilts,  and  was  originally  called  4Hraefenes 
byrig,’  that  is  Ravensbury  : an  estate  close  by  being  still 
called  4 Crow-wood.’  The  Latin  name  is  a simple  translation 
of  the  Anglo-Saxon.”  ( Fasti  Sarisb .,  i,  34). 

In  the  catalogue  given  by  Florence  of  Worcester,  they  are 
called  44Epi  Sunningenses.”  In  our  MS.  it  is  called  “Hramnes 
byrig.”  Canon  Jones  endorses  the  contemptuous  remark  of 
the  editor  of  the  44  Monumenta  Elistorica  Britannica  ” : 44  that 
the  tale  of  seven  bishops  consecrated  in  one  day  by  Archbishop 
Plegmund,  which  had  given  so  much  trouble  to  many  learned 
men,  was  not  yet  concocted  in  the  tenth  century.”  Dr.  Giles 
makes  a similar  remark  in  a note  to  Bohn’s  translation  of 
William  of  Malmesbury,  and  says  : 44  though  it  may  not  be 
easy  to  assign  a rational  motive  for  the  invention  of  such  an 
instrument,  it  is  a decided  forgery.”  Dr.  Oliver  also  says  : 
44  Of  course  we  reject  the  letter  of  Pope  Formosus.”  If  the 
judgment  of  the  editors  of  the  Crawford  MS.  be  accepted,  this 
rough  and  ready  treatment  cannot  be  sustained.  The  date 
may  easily  have  got  miscopied ; but  so  remarkable  an  event  as 
seven  bishops  being  consecrated  in  one  day  can  hardly  have 
been  invented,  and  certainly  was  wrell  known  in  the  tenth 
century.  The  Cornish  more  than  once  took  part  with  the 
Danes  against  the  Saxons  ; and  a report  of  this  might  well 


The  Division  of  the  Bishopricks  of  Wessex.  155 

have  led  the  Pope  to  suppose  that  they  were  lapsing  into 
paganism,  and  the  Bishop  of  Sherborne  probably  found  no 
opportunity  of  visiting  Devon  and  Cornwall  during  the  Danish 
incursions  on  the  coasts  of  Devon.  It  is  true  that  Asser, 
whom  Canon  Jones  considers  Bishop  of  Sherborne,  did  not  die 
until  910 ; but  it  might  well  have  happened  that  no  Bishop 
had  been  in  Somerset,  Devon,  or  Cornwall  for  seven  years  be- 
fore 894.  And  Asser  was  really  domestic  prelate  to  King 
Alfred,  and  might  rather  be  called  Bishop  of  Cornwall  than  of 
Sherborne. 

Mansi  (Sacr.  Council.  Tom.  xviii,  pp.  111-120)  discusses  at 
considerable  length  the  difficulties  of  this  remarkable  record, 
with  the  corrections  suggested  by  Baronius,  Pagi,  Wharton, 
Wilkins,  and  Cossart.  The  pontificate  of  Formosus  lasted 
from  891  to  895  ; and  during  that  time  Alfred  the  Great  was 
King  of  Wessex,  and  Edward  did  not  succeed  him  until  901. 
Plegmund  went  to  Rome  for  his  consecration  in  890,  or  891, 
and  died  in  914. 

Jaffe,  in  his  “ Regesta  Pontificum  Bomanorumf  gives  among 
the  Gesta  of  Pope  Formosus,  as  occurring  a.d.  892-896  : 

“ He  writes  to  the  Bishops  of  England  that  it  was  in  his 
mind  to  excommunicate  them,  because  they  had  ceased  to  root 
out  the  abominable  pagan  customs  which  were  sprouting  out 
afresh  in  England.  But  great  joy  had  been  brought  to  him  by 
Plegmund,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  who  had  brought  word 
that  they  had  returned  into  the  right  way.  He  exhorts  them 
that  they  should  neither  violate  Christian  faith,  or  allow  the 
flock  of  God  to  go  astray,  be  dispersed,  or  be  destroyed 
through  lack  of  pastors,  nor  permit  the  churches  to  stand 
vacant  on  the  death  of  bishops.  He  confirms  the  Primacy  of 
the  Church  of  Canterbury.”  (p.  301.) 

The  letter  of  Formosus,  “ Audit o nefandosf  is  given  by 
Mansi  with  Wilkins’  dissertation  upon  it.  Birch  follows 
Jafle,  Cartul.  Sax.  ii,  p.  214.  Cossart  considers  that  the  best 
way  out  of  the  difficulty  is  to  suppose  that  the  real  date  of  the 


156 


Papers , Sfc. 


English  Synod  was  about  894  ; and  that  Alfred  should  he 
substituted  for  Edward  as  the  name  of  the  King.  This  is 
precisely  what  we  find  in  Higden,  who  says  in  his  Polychroni- 
con , Lib.  VI,  of  the  year  894  : 

“ Plegmund,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  nobly  learned  in 
letters,  having  lately  received  the  pallium  from  Pope  For- 
mosus,  in  one  day  ordained  seven  Bishops  for  seven  Churches 
of  the  English.  This  year  King  Alfred  drove  out  the  Danes, 
first  from  Kent,  then  from  Oxford,  and  then  from  Chichester.” 

This,  however,  lands  us  in  another  difficulty,  that  it  is  stated 
that  there  were  no  bishops  in  W essex  for  seven  years,  whereas 
we  find  Denwulf,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  signing  a charter  of 
King  Alfred  in  889  as  Bishop,  and  in  895  he  signs  at  full 
length  : “ Ego  Denewulfus  W entanae  urbis  episcopus  assencio 
aet  conscribo.*J«.”  In  a charter  of  the  year  900  for  901,  “in 
which  year  also  King  Alfred  died,”  Denewulf  is  styled  “ that 
venerable  Bishop  of  the  city  of  Winchester.”  In  902  he  gives 
a grant  of  land  to  Beornulf ; in  903  he  witnesses  the  Golden 
Charter  to  the  Abbey  of  Newminster ; in  904  a grant  of  King 
Edward  to  St.  Peter’s,  Winchester,  and  other  charters.  The 
first  grant  by  Edward  to  Frithestan,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  is 
of  a.d.  909 ; and  in  the  same  year  a grant  is  made  to  Dene- 
wulf, Bishop  of  Winchester,  which  fixes  Denewulf ’s  death  as 
in  that  year.  It  is  true  this  grant  is  signed,  not  by  Denewulf, 
but  by  Frithestan.  Unless  Frithestan  was  consecrated  as 
coadjutor  to  Denewulf,  it  is  difficult  to  see  how  he  could  have 
been  consecrated  by  Plegmund  in  905,  still  less  in  894.  (See 
Birch,  Cartal . Sax.  Vol.  ii,  pp.  169-289.) 

There  are  no  signatures  in  the  Charters  published  by  Birch, 
of  either  ^Ethelstan,  Bishop  of  Ramsbury,  unless  as  “ Mass 
priest  ” in  903,  W aerstan,  Bishop  of  Sherborne,  or  .ZEthelm, 
Bishop  of  W ells.  W aerstan  is  named  in  the  fist  of  Bishops  of 
Sherborne  in  the  Hyde,  Liber  Vita,  and  Mr.  Clark,  in  1873,  at 
Sherborne,  stated  that  “ W erstan,  the  fourteenth  bishop,  fell  in 
battle  ” against  the  Danes.  This  was  stated  probably  on  the 


The  Division  of  the  Bishopricks  of  Wessex.  157 

authority  of  William  of  Malmesbury,  who  says  that  he  fell  in 
the  night  attack  that  Anlaf  made  on  the  camp  of  ^Ethelstan. 
Bishop  Stubbs,  however,  has  proved  that  it  could  not  have  been 
Werstan,  as  Alfred  was  the  Bishop  of  Sherborne  when  that 
battle  was  fought ; and  Alfred’s  signature  is  found  both  be- 
fore and  after  that  date,  so  that  it  could  not  have  been  a 
Bishop  of  Sherborne  that  was  killed. 

According  to  the  record  as  preserved  in  the  Abingdon 
Register,  and  quoted  by  Wharton,  ^Ethelm  was  the  first 
Bishop  of  Wells.  An  old  fragment  of  a history  of  Wells, 
published  by  the  Camden  Society,  gives  Daniel  as  its  first 
Bishop,  in  consequence  of  his  having  blessed  the  marriage  of 
King  Ine  with  the  Queen  Ethelburga  of  Mercia.  But  the 
account  of  that  marriage  is  so  improbable  as  to  make  Daniel’s 
episcopate  very  doubtful,  and  it  was  not  until  200  years  after- 
wards that  W ells  became  an  episcopal  See. 

For  other  points  of  interest  in  this  document,  we  must  refer 
to  the  Notes  of  the  learned  editors  of  this  Crawford  Collection 
of  Early  Charters. 


158 


Papers , fyc. 


K 

P 

cn 

m 

P 

es 

P 

O 

go 

P 

CO 

P 

o 


p 

P 

w 

H 

P 

O 

3Q 

o 

I— I 

NH 

£> 

h-H 

P 

P 

w 

Eh 

P 

£ 

O 

w 

m 

P 

P 

P 

<4 

H 


nS 

© 

«w 

o 

■S 

© 

"S  x 
© © 

rt  SQ 

o “ 

*«  P 
O GO 

ft  nS 
•♦a  a 


'd 

o 

c 

«© 

pS  •§ 

GO  .© 


■ 2 * 
© ffi 

CO  to 
m 
m © 

'g  |e 

x.S 

CC  ns 

09  jjj 

S o 
a a 


m 


g g 

43  © 

-K3  ®- 
20 
o — 


£ I 


® 

a ^ 

-|  i. 

GO 


^ ~ 


o o- 

a -e 


W 


-+3  fl) 
CO  PS 

© pq 

-pP  „■ 
2 >* 
•S  g 

GO 


5? 
•'S  ^ 
a I 
(3  Ja 

fc* 

© 

PQ 


fc.  s- 
© S 
^CQ 

JS-g 
2 S 


x 

© © 
«3  oa 

"i— I 09 
© M 


A:* 

. CO 

< co 


THE  SUCCESSION  OF  BISHOPS  IN  WESSEX  AFTER  905. 


The  Division  of  the  Bishopricks  of  Wessex.  159 


gJ-S 

rd 

§33 


1 1 

k m 1— 1 

I'S.S 

CQ<tJC! 

* * * 


§3  © o3 

Q ^ ^ ^ 02 

* * * 


*! 


.s 

> 


a 

3 3 
’&  <1 


© -P  a) 
©02  •£ 
02^  £ 

M COn 

3 a 9 
|3  » 
©3  § 

o O C 

©<^  ® 


4 a 

a 3 

5 


3 3 2 

| | I 

3 d « 

^ m 3 


d-3 

H+i  , 

c1  o 


60 

02 


1— I ' r-1  © 

c3  W5_g  £ O 

i'>| 


© u 

m m 
w O 


H 


3 


.a°'s 
<2  is 
33 
^fS 


.a  ^ 

5s  ^3 

ll3 

^2^ 


a 

« 

O 

£ 

o 

O 


S3 

!>  02 


.§* 

^,3 
.3  S g» 
£ 3 ■> 

<0  -c 


a 

I * S ►>■ 


S g 
S« 


I a 

J ^ 

^02 

3 O 

a-*3 

T* 


cu  -r 

ffi  g 


I' 

tsi 


a 

3 * 

1 j 

a£ 


d 

cS 

+3  © 

S3 
© g 

3 

aT 

3 

^ £ 

d ^ 
.3  q 

d © 
‘S  23 

‘a  3 j2 

^ -g 

tJU 

© 

d -P>  d 

d ^ -a 

i*  'C  -2 

l?  « 
£ .2° 

« w 

W^5  W 

W 

Wpqk 

<3  a! 

iO  >OOOO^H^(M-'00«HOO-iiOX”fiO»iOiOiOO 
O H-OllNCiJW^lQlOaNNXXXOJOS-iOI'fiO 
OS  ®0)OS®05  05QC;0)CiC50)OC)0®OOOOCC 


T3  '©S 

d T*  . © 

PTj  £ g ^3  4? 

d © tfe  5 L !>  ^ © 

d Pi  > bfi  > ..  rt 

'd  ,"C5 'd  ro r©  2+3 


h3  d 

fs  o 

go 

-I  2 


( Adapted  from  the  late  Canon  Jones’  “ Fasti  Sarisberienses.” ) * Dates  uncertain. 


9tt  Entientorp  of  Cbuccb  Plate  in  Somerset. 

Part  II* 


BY  THE  REV,  E.  H.  BATES,  M.A 


N inventory  of  the  Communion  plate  of  the  Deanery- 


-AA.  districts  of  Frome  and  Martock  now  follows  on  the 
start  made  last  year.  It  is  not  by  any  means  as  much  as  I 
had  hoped  to  do,  but  man  proposes  and  the  influenza  indis- 
poses. For  the  same  reason  there  are  no  reproduction  of 
drawings,  but  some  photographs  kindly  furnished  by  friends. 

In  these  two  Deanery-districts  there  are  forty-three  ancient 
parishes  and  chapelries,  and  seven  modern  parishes  and  dis- 
tricts, total  fifty.  Although  there  is  no  instance  of  mediaeval 
silver  plate  to  be  recorded,  there  is  a considerable  quantity 
of  interesting  pieces.  The  Elizabethan  cup  is  found  at  Lul- 
lington  as  early  as  1562,  and  there  are  quite  a number  of  cups 
and  covers  earlier  than  1572,  so  it  is  evident  that  many 
parishes  did  not  wait  for  the  word  of  command  from  Wells 
before  adopting  the  new  fashion.  One  consequence  of  this  is 
that  we  find  a greater  variety  of  patterns  in  the  shape  and 
ornamentation  of  these  cups,  as  the  work  of  the  silversmith 
I.  P.  is  not  found  in  this  county  before  1572.  In  the  seven- 
teenth century,  there  are  examples  of  post-mediawal  chalices 
at  Pendomer  and  Marston  Bigot,  the  latter  being  a beautiful 
specimen  of  the  high  art  of  the  reign  of  Charles  I.  At  Od- 

* Part  I,  containing  Deanery-districts  of  Bruton,  Cary,  Shepton  Mallet, 
Merston,  and  Milborne  Port,  appeared  in  vol  xliii,  ii,  172. 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate. 


161 


combe  is  an  example  of  the  standing  cup  of  tbe  Edmond’s 
pattern,  a gift  of  tbe  last  century.  There  are  also  some  very 
primitive  patens  at  North  Perrott,  Middle  Chinnock,  and 
Charterhouse  Hinton,  which  have  no  regular  marks.  The 
paten  at  the  last-named  place  bears  a mark  which  has  hitherto 
only  been  found  in  Wilts.  For  the  probable  maker  of  the 
Pendomer  chalice  see  notes  on  that  place.  Of  eighteenth 
century  work  there  is  a typical  collection  at  Mells,  and  a 
beautiful  salver  and  ewer  at  Montacute.  But  the  possible 
list  has  been  greatly  limited  by  the  extraordinary  denudation 
of  Frome  Deanery  district  in  the  matter  of  old  plate.  Out  of 
twenty-four  ancient  parishes,  ten  possess  no  plate  older  than 
the  present  reign,  and  only  five  retain  the  Elizabethan  cups ; 
while,  in  the  Martock  district,  out  of  nineteen  parishes,  ten 
possess  the  original  cups  and  covers,  whose  beauty,  value,  and 
interest,  ought  to  form  a triple  alliance  against  the  attack  of 
the  pseudo-media} valist. 

In  conclusion,  I desire  to  return  my  best  thanks  to  the 
clergy  and  laity  who  have  so  kindly  assisted  me  in  making 
these  notes.  If  there  is  an  amari  aliquid  in  the  memory,  it  is 
that  a few  would  not  answer  their  letters,  and  thereby  some- 
what dislocated  my  plans,  but  “ all’s  well  that  ends  well.” 

Puckington  Rectory , Ilminster. 


Chronological  List  of  Church  Plate  to  the  end  of  the 
18th  century. 


Medieval  Period. 

Coffin  chalice,  pewter,  at  Orchardleigh. 
16th  Century  after  the  Reformation. 


1562  Lullington,  cup  and  cover. 

1570  Beckington  (2),  cup  and  cover. 
West  Chinnock,  cup  and  cover. 

1571  Beckington  (1),  cup  and  cover. 
Chiselborough,  cup  and  cover. 
East  Chinnock,  cup  and  cover. 
Elm,  cup  and  cover. 

North  Perrott,  cup  and  cover. 


1573  Hardin gton  Mand.,  cup  and 

cover. 

Montacute,  cup  and  cover. 
Tellisford,  cup  and  cover. 
Thorne  nr.  Yeovil,  cup  and  cover. 

1574  Middle  Chinnock,  cup  and  cover. 
Odcombe,  cup  and  cover. 

1592  Witham  Friary,  cup  and  cover. 


Vol.  XLI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


x 


162 


Papers , 8fc, 


Seventeenth  Century. 


1601  Norton-sub-Hambdon,  cup  and 
cover. 

1614  Odcombe,  standing  cup. 

1619  Brympton,  flagon. 

1627  Orchardleigh,  cup  and  cover. 

1628  Marston  Bigot,  flagon. 

1629  Brympton,  cup. 

1632  YVanstrow,  cover. 

1633  Marston  Bigot,  chalice. 


1635  Stoke-s-Hamdon.  cup  and  cover. 
Tintinhull,  cup  and  cover, 

1636  Marston  Bigot,  paten. 

1637  Charterhouse  Hinton,  cup. 

1661  Nunney,  cup. 

1673  Leigh-on-Mendip , cup  and  cover. 
1691  Montacute,  candlesticks. 

1693  Pendomer,  paten. 

1694  North  Perrott,  paten. 

1699  Brympton,  paten. 


Eighteenth  Century. 


1705  East  Chinnock,  cup. 

1708  Marston  Bigot,  almsdish. 

1711  Frome,  S.  John’s,  Bp.  Ken's  cup. 
1713  Lufton,  cup. 

Montacute,  patens. 

Road,  paten. 

1720  Beckington,  flagon 

1721  Lufton,  paten. 

1724  Leigh-on-Mendip,  patens. 
Moutacute,  salver. 

1725  East  Chinnock,  salver. 

1730  Woolverton,  cup  and  paten. 

1732  Elm,  paten. 


1732  Rodden,  paten. 

1737  Nunney,  paten. 

1740  Rodden,  cup  and  flagon. 

1742  Haselbury  Plucknett,  salver. 
1746  Road,  cup. 

1748  Mells,  set  of  vessels. 

1752  North  Perrott,  salvers. 

1755  Mells,  knife. 

1758  Martock,  paten  and  flagon. 
1760  Haselbury  Plucknett,  flagon. 
1768  North  Perrott,  flagon. 

1783  Nunney,  cup. 

1796  Norton-sub-ffamdon,  cup. 


Horner,  Mells. 

Hoskyns,  Haselbury  Plucknett. 
Houlton,  Farleigh  Hungerford. 
Napier,  Montacute. 

Phelips,  Montacute. 


Armorials. 

Phillips,  Montacute, 
Sainsbury,  Beckington. 
Strangways,  Mells. 
Sydenham,  Brympton. 
Worsley.  Montacute. 
Wright,  Montacute. 


FROME  DISTRICT. 

Beckington. — There  are  here  two  Elizabethan  cups  and 
cover,  one  the  result  of  the  Reformation  settlement,  the  other 
a gift  of  late  date.  The  original  cup  is  a very  fine  one  ; it 
stands  7§in.  high,  and  is  parcel-gilt.  The  bowl  is  deep  and 
trumpet-shaped  ; there  is  one  band  of  running  ornament. 
Above  and  below  the  stem  are  bands  of  small  prick-holes. 
The  knop  has  the  hyphen  ornament ; the  foot  is  plain.  The 
cover  is  also  quite  plain;  on  the  button  is  the  date  1571. 
Marks  (same  on  both  pieces):  2 offic. ; date-letter  for  1571  ; 
maker’s  mark  doubtful,  perhaps  a mullet  with  fiery  points  (also 
found  at  Chiselborough  and  Elm). 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate. 


163 


The  other  Elizabethan  cup  and  cover  is  a year  earlier  in 
date.  The  cup  stands  7in.  high  ; the  bowl  is  straight-sided, 
with  wide  lip ; there  is  one  band  of  running  ornament  between 
fillets  without  the  usual  upright  arabesques  at  the  intersec- 
tions; round  the  base  of  the  bowl  is  a belt  of  egg-and-dart 
ornament,  which  is  also  found  on  the  foot.  Above  and  below 
the  stem  are  bands  of  upright  strokes.  The  knop  and  perhaps 
the  stem  seem  to  have  been  repaired.  The  foot  rests  on  an 
added  rim  of  silver  plate,  on  which  is  engraved  : 4 The  gift  of 
Elizabeth  Langford  to  the  Parish  of  Beckington  1838.’  The 
cover  is  quite  plain.  The  Sacred  Monogram  has  been  en- 
graved on  both  pieces.  Marks  (same  on  both  pieces)  : 2 offic. ; 
date-letter  for  1570  ; maker’s  mark,  within  a circle  a cross 
pommee  ; not  in  Cripps. 

There  is  also  a good  solid  plain  flagon,  9Jin.  high  to  lip.  It 
bears  the  same  inscription  that  is  found  on  the  Elizabethan 
cup  above.  Marks  : 2 offic.  of  Brit,  sterling  ; date-letter  for 
1720  ; maker’s  mark  illegible.  Two  dishes,  9 Jin.  in  diameter, 
quite  plain,  with  Sacred  Monogram  in  the  centre,  and  date- 
letter  for  1811.  Round  brim:  4 The  gift  of  Mrs.  Grace 
Sainsbury  to  the  Parish  of  Beckington  1812.’  Arms,  in  a 
lozenge  : Az.,  within  a bord.  engr.,  3 lozenges  conjoined  in 
bend  or.  A small  box  of  plated  metal  for  the  service  of  the 
Holy  Table. 

William  Sainsbury  was  patron  of  Beckington  in  1704  ; and 
the  family  have  continued  here  to  the  present  time,  being  now 
represented  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Ernest  Langford  Sainsbury. 

Berkley. — A cup,  paten  and  flagon,  all  intensely  modern 
of  an  uninteresting  pattern.  The  cup  is  inscribed  : 4 Parish  of 
Berkley,  Somerset.  H.  T.  Wheler,  M.A.,  Rector  a.d.  1852.’ 
All  the  pieces  have  the  date-letter  for  that  year. 

Buckland  Dinham. — A chalice  and  paten,  parcel-gilt,  of 
modern  mediaeval  design,  with  the  date-letter  for  1853.  A 
plated  dish  and  two  pewter  ditto,  one  patterned  over  with 
thistles. 


i 64 


Papers , Sfc. 


Chantry. — A modern  ecclesiastical  parish,  formed  in  1846. 
The  plate  consists  of  a chalice,  paten  on  foot,  flagon  and  alms- 
dish,  all  good  of  their  kind,  with  the  date-letter  for  1846. 

Charterhouse  Hinton. — An  early  seventeenth-century 
cup,  which,  in  its  proportions,  more  resembles  the  bulkier 
patterns  in  vogue  at  the  end  of  the  century.  It  stands  7 Jin. 
high  ; the  bowl  is  cylindrical,  with  slight  lip,  perfectly  plain ; 
the  moulded  foot  has  a flange  round  the  upper  part.  Marks  : 
2 offic.;  date-letter  for  1637;  maker’s  mark,  the  initials  D.  G. 
with  an  anchor  between  in  shield.  The  bowl  is  inscribed  : 
4 Robert  Shaa  Junior  Churchwarden  of  Charterhouse  Hinton 
in  Somsetshr.’  His  will  is  in  Brown  v.  67.  It  was  made  30th 
May,  1657,  and  proved  13th  May,  1658.  He  was  the  owner 
of  Hinton  Abbey  Farm.  A paten,  plain  and  solid,  with  a 
wide  brim,  total  width  7 Jin.  It  stands  on  a tall  thick  stem 
with  clumsy  foot.  The  only  mark  (struck  thrice)  is  a shield 
containing  the  initials  Gr.  L.  above  a dog  trottant  to  dexter. 
This  mark  is  also  found  at  Bishop’s  Knoyle  and  Winkfield 
(just  three  miles  away),  in  the  adjacent  county  of  Wilts.  The 
mark  at  Bishop’s  Knoyle  is  accompanied  by  the  date  1677, 
and  the  paten  here  is  most  probably  about  this  period.  It  is 
inscribed  : 4 Ex  dono  Johannis  Bayly  generosi  de  Winffeild.’ 

Cloford. — The  plate  is  all  modern;  there  are  a chalice 
and  two  patens  of  mediaeval  design,  silver-gilt,  with  the  date- 
letter  for  1851. 

Elm. — This  parish  still  retains  its  Elizabethan  cup  and 
cover.  The  cup  is  7in.  high ; there  is  one  band  of  running 
ornament  round  the  bowl;  the  knop  has  the  hyphen  ornament; 
above  and  below  the  stem  are  bands  of  pin-holes ; the  foot  is 
quite  plain.  The  cover  has  no  ornament  about  it ; on  the 
button  is  the  date  1571.  Marks  (same  on  both  pieces)  : 2 
offic.;  date-letter  for  1571  ; maker’s  mark,  as  at  Beckington 
(j.v.  and  Chiselborough.  There  is  also  a small  paten  on 
moulded  foot,  5Jin.  in  diameter.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date-letter 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate.  1 65 

for  1732;  maker’s  mark,  T.P.  in  oblong  punch,  not  in  Cripps. 
A cup,  salver,  and  flagon  of  plated  metal. 

Farleigh  Hungerford. — The  church  plate  of  this 
parish  has  undergone  several  changes,  presumably  for  the 
worse  each  time.  In  1803,  Joseph  Houlton,  of  Farleigh  Hun- 
gerford,  gave  to  the  church  a large  silver  cup,  with  handle 
and  cover,  and  three  silver  plates  bearing  his  arms.  Being  of 
an  inconvenient  shape,  the  cup  was  exchanged  for  a chalice 
and  paten  of  modern  mediaeval  design,  with  the  date-letter  for 
1847.  A silver  flagon  was  added  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Ward, 
at  that  time  curate  of  Farleigh.  [‘Ex  Guide  to  Farleigh 
Hungerford  by  Canon  Jackson  1879,’  communicated  by  Rev. 
R.  W.  Baker,  rector  of  the  parish.] 

The  flagon  and  a small  silver  plate  have  disappeared.  The 
two  survivors  bear  the  Houlton  arms — Arg.,  on  a fess  wavy 
betw.  3 talbots’  heads  az.,  as  many  bezants.  Crest,  a talbot’s 
head.  Motto,  Semper  fidelis.  Inscription  : 4 The  gift  of 
Joseph  Houlton  Esq.  to  the  Parish  of  Farleigh  25th  March 
1803.’  The  date-letter  is,  however,  that  for  1805.  A glass 
cruet  with  silver-gilt  mountings. 

Frome  (S.  Johns). — -The  plate  here,  though  beautiful  and 
valuable,  is  of  too  modern  a date  to  call  for  a long  description. 

A large  chalice  with  paten  to  match,  silver-gilt  and  enam- 
elled, with  the  Birmingham  date-letter  for  1850.  A smaller 
chalice  and  paten  silver-gilt,  with  the  date-letter  for  1860. 

A ciborium  wholly  gilt  and  enriched  with  precious  stones  ; 
under  the  foot  is  an  inscription  : 4 + This  ciborium  constructed 
from  twro  flagons  the  gifts  of  Thomas  Prigge  1686  and  Thomas 
Husbands  1695,  and  two  chalices  the  gifts  of  John  Ross 
Bishop  of  Exeter  and  Vicar  1783  with  the  jewels  added  (the 
gift  of  a Communicant)  is  dedicated  to  the  use  of  the  Church 
of  S.  John  of  Froome  for  ever,  S.  John  Bapt.  Day  1866. 
Wm.  J.  E.  Bennett  Vicar  + .’  A smaller  ciborium  also 
wholly  gilt  with  the  inscription  : 4 + Presented  to  William 
James  Early  Bennett  Parish  Priest  of  Frome  Selwood,  by  the 


166 


Papers , Sfc. 


Frome  Ward  of  the  Confraternity  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament, 
November  15,  1875.’  A very  handsome  processional  cross, 
gilt.  Another  cross  with  the  inscription  : 4 This  cross  is  given 
by  members  of  the  congregation  in  memory  of  Clement  John 
Sparkes,  Priest — who  died  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  in  the 
Central  African  Mission,  September  22nd,  1889.’ 

But,  undoubtedly,  the  most  interesting  object  among  the 
plate  is  the  pocket  Communion  Service  of  Bishop  Ken,  which 
is  still  preserved  in  the  original  case  of  cuir  bouille.  This  case 
is  5^in.  high,  covered  with  stamped  patterns,  and  lined  inter- 
nally with  green  baize.  The  cup  and  cover  are  wholly  gilt. 
The  cup  is  4f\in.  high  ; the  depth  of  bowl  being  2in.  This  is 
devoid  of  any  embellishment ; it  rests  on  a trumpet-shaped 
stem  with  moulded  foot.  The  general  design  is  like  the  illus- 
tration on  p.  218  of  Cripps’  Old  English  Plate , 5th  edit.  The 
only  mark  is  that  of  the  maker  R.P.  above  a mullet  in  heart- 
shaped  shield.  This  mark  is  given  in  Cripps  under  the  year 
1640,  but  the  pattern  of  the  cup  is  like  one  found  in  the  early 
part  of  the  eighteenth  century  (Lufton  1713,  Sutton  Bingham 
1735).  It  is  inscribed  : 4 Given  to  the  Parsil  of  Froome  by  the 
late  Ld-  Bp-  Ken  1711.’  He  died  19  Mar.  1710-1  ; and  was 
buried  under  the  east  window  of  the  chancel,  where  his  grave 
may  still  be  seen  : 

‘ A basket-work  where  bars  are  bent,  iron  in  place  of  osier, 

And  shapes  above  that  represent  a mitre  and  a crosier.’ 

Frome  ( Christ  Church.) — A parish  formed  in  1844.  The 
plate  is  modern.  It  consists  of  a large  chalice,  paten  on  foot, 
and  almsdish  with  the  hall-marks  and  date-letter  for  1818, 
4 the  gift  of  Anne  Jenkyns  1818.’  A ciborium  with  cover, 
silver,  jewelled,  bearing  the  date-letter  for  1885,  and  this 
inscription  : 4 The  gift  of  Rev.  R.  Raikes  Branage,  in  memory 
of  his  wife  1886.’  A small  chalice  (date-letter  for  1876), 
4 The  gift  of  friends  in  memory  of  E.  H.  H.  Branage  1886.’ 
A small  paten  (date-letter  for  1886)  : 4 The  gift  of  the  Guild 
of  the  Good  Shepherd,  Easter  1886.’  Two  silver-mounted 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate. 


167 


glass  cruets.  A silver  rack,  to  fit  into  ciborium,  for  carrying 
the  Blessed  Sacrament  to  the  sick  (no  mark)  presented  by 
Rev.  S.  Cooper  1897.  A brass  and  copper  almsdish,  embossed 
with  figure  of  our  Lord,  made  by  Messrs.  Singer  in  1886,  in 
exchange  for  a silver  chalice  of  the  size  and  pattern  of  the 
first  above  mentioned,  the  gift  of  Anne  Jenkyns.  [This  in- 
ventory was  kindly  furnished  by  the  Rev.  S.  Cooper,  vicar  of 
the  parish.] 

Frome  ( Trinity  ).— A parish  formed  in  1844.  The  first 
set  of  communion  vessels  were  only  plated ; but  a silver 
chalice  and  paten  were  added  in  1872.  [Communicated.] 

Frome  (St.  Mary  Virg.).—A  parish  formed  in  1873.  The 
plate  is  all  modern.  It  consists  of  a flagon,  chalice,  two 
patens,  almsdish,  and  baptismal  shell  (1897)  ; all  silver-gilt. 
[Communicated  by  Rev.  H.  Hickman,  late  vicar.] 

Laverton.- — The  plate  here  is  all  modern.  It  consists  of 
a cup,  parcel-gilt,  egg-cup  pattern,  with  the  Sheffield  hall- 
mark and  date-letter  for  1842.  The  paten  on  foot  has  the 
London  date-letter  for  1851.  Each  piece  bears  this  inscrip- 
tion : 4 Presented  by  the  Rev.  George  Rous  to  the  Parish  of 
Laverton  1854.’ 

Lbigh-on-Men  dip.- — There  is  here  a cup  and  cover  of  the 
time  of  Charles  II,  without  any  regular  marks.  The  cup 
stands  7 Jin,  high;  it  is  a tall  plain  vessel  with  a small  knop 
on  the  stem,  and  a circular  moulded  foot.  It  is  inscribed  : 

4 William  Raynes,  James  Raye,  Churchwardens,  1673.’  The 
cover  is  quite  plain;  on  the  foot:  4 W.R.,  J.R.  -f  1673.’ 
Each  piece  bears  the  same  solitary  mark  (struck  thrice),  I.P., 
in  shaped  punch,  not  in  Cripps.  A pair  of  plain  patens  on 
foot,  7^in.  in  diameter.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date-letter  for  1724; 
maker’s  mark,  R.B.,  in  oblong  punch,  with  the  angles  sloped 
otf.  Underneath  the  patens  are  the  initials  E.I.G.,  the  first 
above  the  other  two. 

Lullington. — This  parish  possesses  an  Elizabethan  cup 
and  cover  of  a considerably  earlier  date  than  the  generality  of 


168 


Papers , Sfc. 


the  plate  of  this  reign.  The  cnp  is  of  a peculiar  shape  ; it 
stands  6yFin.  high ; the  howl  is  3 Jin.  across  at  lip,  and  3 Jin. 
deep ; it  is  perfectly  plain.  . The  stem  is  very  short  and  thick, 
without  knop,  with  a band  of  upright  strokes  at  either  end  ; 
the  foot  is  poorly  moulded.  The  cover  is  also  perfectly  plain  ; 
the  stem  of  the  button  is  abnormally  thick.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; 
date-letter  for  1562»;  maker’s  mark,  two  letters  in  monogram, 
perhaps  P.S.,  as  given  in  Cripps  under  that  year.  A small, 
plain,  silver-gilt  paten  of  Victorian  era.  Pewter  : A large 
flagon  and  a bowl. 

Marston  Bigot. — The  plate  here  is  remarkable  for  its 
artistic  beauty.  The  cup  is  designed  after  the  pattern  of  a 
mediaeval  chalice.  It  is  silver  gilt,  9 Jin.  high,  with  a large 
deep  bowl,  quite  plain.  The  stem  is  hexagonal,  having  a 
large  knop  with  diamond  facets.  At  the  bottom  of  the  stem  is 
a wide  flange ; below  this  the  foot  gradually  spreads  out  into 
six  semi-circular  lobes,  elaborately  covered  with  engraved  and 
repousse  work.  The  stem  also  is  engraved  with  representations 
of  single-light  Gothic  windows.  There  are  two  sets  of  marks 
on  this  piece.  Under  the  foot : 2 offic. ; date  letter  for  1633  ; 
maker’s  mark  W.B.,  with  small  ornament  above  in  shield,  not 
in  Cripps.  On  the  bowl  : 2 offic.,  and  the  maker’s  mark  B.F., 
with  trefoil  slipped  below  in  shield,  given  by  Cripps  under 
1635.  The  paten,  diam.  Tin.,  silver-gilt,  on  foot,  has  a wide 
brim,  and  a broad  band  of  engraved  ornament  in  the  central 
depression.  Within  this  band  is  the  sacred  monogram  sur- 
rounded by  a rayed  circle.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date  letter  for 
1636  ; maker’s  mark  as  on  bowl  of  chalice.  A straight-sided 
flagon,  silver-gilt,  with  flat  lid.  The  drum  is  elaborately 
covered  with  engraved  and  repousse  work  of  a different  pattern 
to  that  on  the  pieces  described  above.  At  the  base  of  the 
drum  is  a bold  band  of  cable  pattern.  The  handle  is  large 
and  plain.  The  foot  is  comparatively  small.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; 
date  letter  for  1628  ; maker’s  mark  R.S.  above  a heart  in  shield. 
A large  almsdish,  12 Jin.  in  diameter,  silver-gilt,  elaborately 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate. 


169 


engraved.  Marks  : 2 offic.  of  Brit,  sterling ; date  letter  for 
1708  ; maker’s  mark  L.O.  above  a small  roundel  in  shaped 
punch,  perhaps  a variation  of  John  Lock’s  mark  given  in 
Cripps  under  1711. 

It  is  quite  impossible  to  describe  the  beauty  of  the  engraved 
and  repousse  work  on  these  pieces,  particularly  on  those  of  the 
reign  of  Charles  I.  It  is  a striking  testimony  to  the  artistic 
taste  which  the  king  in  the  earlier  part  of  his  reign  did  so  much 
to  foster. 

Mells. — This  parish,  like  so  many  which  have  belonged  to 
the  Strangways-Horner  family,  has  been  greatly  enriched  as 
regards  its  plate-chest.  The  gift  included  a cup  9§in.  high, 
with  a large  bowl  encircled  by  a rib.  The  stem  is  trumpet- 
shaped, gradually  broadening  out  into  a wide  spreading  foot. 
On  this  is  engraved  a band  of  cherubs.  On  the  cup  is  the 
sacred  monogram  within  a rayed  circle.  This  ornamentation 
is  found  on  all  the  pieces  which  are  fully  gilt.  W eight  of  the 
cup,  18oz.  ldwt.  Marks : 2 offic. ; date-letter  for  1748  ; 
maker’s  mark,  D.P.  in  shaped  punch = Daniel  Piers.  The 
inscription  runs  : 4 The  gift  of  Mrs.  Strangways  Horner,  1748.’ 
Arms  (in  a lozenge) — Quarterly  : 1 and  4,  sa.  2 lions  pass, 
paly  of  six  arg.  and  gu.  (Strangways) ; 2 and  3,  sa.  3 talbots 
pass.  2 and  1,  arg.  (Horner).  Supporters:  dexter,  a talbot ; 
sinister,  a wolf.  Motto  : Soys  ioyevz  et  ne  dovbte  pont.  By 
these  arms  the  donor  can  be  identified  as  Susannah,  daughter 
and  coheiress  of  Thomas  Strangways  of  Melbury  Osmund, 
Esq.,  and  wife  of  Thomas  Horner  of  Mells,  Esq.  [See 
more  about  the  family  under  Milton  Clevedon  in  Bruton 
Deanery.]  The  paten-cover  fits  loosely  on  the  cup.  It  is 
fully  gilt,  and  weighs  ooz.  I7dwt.  Same  marks  and  inscription 
as  on  cup.  Another  larger  paten  on  foot,  8§in.  across. 
Weight,  15oz.  9dwt.  Same  marks,  etc.  A tall  flagon,  lOJin. 
high  to  lip,  and  12 Jin.  to  top  of  domed  cover.  The  drum  is  of 
an  unusual  shape,  the  upper  part  being  cylindrical  and  then 
gradually  swelling  out,  yet  never  approaching  the  amazing 

Vol.  XLIV  (Third  Series , Vol.  1 V),  Part  II.  y 


170 


Papers , 8fc. 


dimensions  of  the  ordinary  flagon  of  this  period.  The  handle 
is  engraved  with  a hand  of  leaves  and  flowers ; and  the 
superiority  of  the  workmanship  is  no  doubt  due  to  the  fact 
that  it  was  made  by  Paul  Lamerie,  whose  mark,  the  initials 
P.L.  under  a crown,  appear  on  this  piece.  The  other  marks 
are  the  same  as  on  the  cup.  The  weight  is  40oz.  18dwt.  Of 
a slightly  later  date  is  a knife  in  metal  sheath  inscribed  : £ The 
gift  of  Mrs.  Strangways  Horner  to  the  Parish  of  Mells  1755.’ 
The  handle  of  the  knife  and  the  sheath  are  gilt  and  orna- 
mented with  the  acanthus-leaf  pattern.  There  are  no  marks 
visible. 

The  modern  plate  consists  of  a chalice  and  paten  fully  gilt, 
with  the  date-letter  for  1852.  A large  and  handsome  alms- 
dish,  silver  washed  over  with  burnished  copper ; the  date 
letter  is  that  for  1853. 

Nokton  St.  Philip. — The  plate  here  is  of  the  Victorian 
era.  It  consists  of  a large  silver-gilt  chalice  and  paten  of 
mediaeval  design.  There  is  also  a very  tall  pewter  flagon  of 
the  tankard  ‘pattern,  with  a spreading  foot  and  curious  double 
handle. 

Nunney.— The  oldest  piece  of  plate  here  bears  the  date  of 
the  year  following  6 His  Majesty’s  happy  Restoration.’  The 
Castle  here  was  besieged  and  taken  by  Fairfax  in  1645,  when 
it  is  quite  possible  and  probable  that  the  old  plate  disappeared. 
The  general  feeling  of  uncertainty  about  the  future  wrould 
seem  to  have  kept  the  parish  from  getting  a new  cup.  [For 
another  instance  of  delay  in  this  period,  see  under  Batcombe 
in  Bruton  Deanery.]  The  present  cup  is  of  the  baluster-stem 
pattern.  It  stands  6J  inches  high  ; the  bowl  is  quite  plain, 
and  the  foot  is  without  mouldings.  Marks  : 2 offic.  ; date- 
letter  for  1661  ; maker’s  mark,  R.S.,  with  mullet  beneath  in 
shield.  Another  cup,  no  less  than  10  J in.  high,  and  5in. 
across  the  lip.  The  stem  has  an  annular  knop  and  moulded 
foot.  Marks:  2 offic.;  date-letter  for  1783  ; maker’s  mark, 
W.T.,  in  plain  punch=  Walter  Tweedie.  The  cup  is  in- 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate. 


171 


scribed:  4 A present  to  the  Parishioners  of  Noney  by  their 
affectionate  Rector,  Samuel  Whitchurch.’ 

In  Som.  Arch,  and  N.  H.  Proc.  XXII,  ii,  71,  there  is  a 
paper  on  Nunney  by  E.  Green,  Esq.,  who  traces  the  history 
of  the  castle  after  the  sequestration  of  Col.  Richard  Prater, 
through  the  purchasers  from  the  Parliament,  Messrs.  Foxley 
and  Colbey  in  1652,  to  William  Whitchurch.  The  guardians 
of  William  Whitchurch  presented  Samuel  Whitchurch  to  the 
rectory  19th  April,  1734.  As  he  was  buried  11th  April, 
1797  [Par.  Reg.,  communicated  by  the  rector],  this  incum- 
bency lasted  nearly  sixty-three  years.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Coward,  of  Spargrove,  in  Batcombe.  In 
the  church  are  monuments  to  three  of  his  children,  including 
James  Wadham,  4 the  beloved  curate  of  this  parish,  who  was 
called  off  the  5th  day  of  January,  1776.’ 

A plain  paten  on  foot,  6 Jin.  in  diameter.  Inscribed  4 Nony, 
1737.’  Marks  : 2 offic.  ; date-letter  for  1737  ; maker’s  mark, 
I.F.  in  oblong  punch = John  ffawdery. 

Orchardleigh. — Here  there  is  preserved  a pewter  coffin 
chalice,  dug  up  in  the  churchyard  in  1878.  It  was  found  on 
the  east  side  of  the  porch,  and  was  considered  by  the  work- 
man to  be  an  old  candlestick,  but  Mr.  Singer  pronounced  it  to 
be  a coffin  chalice  of  the  thirteenth  century  [v.  Proc.  xxxix.  i.  28.] 
It  is  4 Jin.  high,  and  4fin.  across  the  lip  of  the  bowl,  which  is 
shallow.  The  stem  has  an  annular  knop  and  circular  foot. 

The  communion  plate  consists  of  a cup  and  cover  of  a 
Jacobean  pattern.  The  cup  is  7 Jin.  high;  the  bowl  is  quite 
plain  with  slight  lip  ; the  outline  is  reversed  conical.  The 
stem  and  the  knop  are  very  coarse,  and  seem  a renovation. 
The  foot  is  moulded.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date  letter  for  1627  ; 
maker’s  mark  illegible.  The  cover  is  of  the  usual  pattern 
without  a flange.  It  has  the  same  marks  as  the  cup,  and  again 
the  maker’s  mark  is  worn  away. 

Road.— A tall,  slender  cup  of  the  Georgian  period.  It 
stands  7§in.  high ; the  bowl  is  deep  in  proportion  to  its  width ; 


172 


Papers , 8fc. 


tlie  stem  has  an  annular  knop,  and  a shallow,  spreading  foot. 
Marks : 2 offic.  ; date  letter  for  1746  ; maker’s  mark,  the  first 
initial  is  worn  away,  the  second  is  a capital  black-letter  £3), 
perhaps  the  initials  of  John  Swift,  entered  1739.  A large  paten 
on  foot,  8in.  across.  It  is  inscribed  : 4 For  the  use  of  the  parish 
of  Road,  1724.’  Marks  : 2 offic.  of  Brit,  sterling;  date  letter 
for  1713  ; maker’s  mark  an  R within  a large  G = Richard 
Greene.  A small  silver  flagon,  tankard  pattern,  with  the  date 
letter  for  1873.  Two  pewter  dishes. 

Rodden. — The  cup,  paten,  and  flagon  were  subscribed  for 
by  the  parishioners,  and  each  piece  bears  the  inscription : 4 The 
gift  of  the  Parishioners  of  Rodden.  William  Moore,  chappel- 
warden,  1741.’  The  cup  is  7§in.  high  : the  bowl  has  a slight 
lip ; there  is  an  annular  knop  on  the  thick  stem  ; the  foot  is 
moulded.  Marks  : 2 offic.  ; date-letter  for  1740  ; maker’s 
mark  obliterated. 

The  plain  paten  is  5§in.  across,  on  foot.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; 
date-letter  for  1732  ; maker’s  mark,  I.F.  = John  ffawdery. 
The  flagon  is  simply  a larger  cup  with  a spout  fitted  to  the  lip 
of  the  bowl,  and  a handle  placed  on  the  opposite  side.  The 
lip  is  scallopped  ; and  a small  rib  encircles  the  middle  of  the 
bowl.  Marks  : 2 offic.  ; date-letter  for  1740  ; maker’s  mark, 
F.S.  under  a crown  in  shaped  punch  = Francis  Spilsbury. 

A plain  almsdish  8f  in.  in  diameter,  inscribed : 4 Presented 
to  Rodden  Church  by  Nathaniel  Barton  Esq.  a.d.  1855.’  The 
date-letter  is  for  that  year. 

Tellisford. — A diminutive  cup  and  cover  by  I.P.  It  is 
only  4j|in.  high,  yet  the  bowl  is  encircled  with  two  bands  of 
running  ornament.  The  knop  has  a band  of  hyphens  ; the  foot 
appears  to  have  been  renovated.  The  cover  has  one  band  of 
running  ornament;  on  the  button  is  the  date  4 1573.’  Marks 
(same  on  both  pieces)  : 2 offic. ; date-letter  for  1573  ; maker’s 
mark,  I.P.  A paten  of  mediaeval  design,  with  the  Elizabethan 
ornamentation  round  brim,  and  the  date-letter  for  1856  ! A 
small  silver  flagon  given  in  1870  by  the  Rev.  G.  Baker. 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate.  173 

V obster. — This  hamlet  was  formed  into  an  ecclesiastical 
parish  from  the  civil  parish  of  Mells  Jan.  9,  1852.  [Kelly, 
P.O.  Directory  1897.]  The  Communion  plate  is  modern. 

Wan st row.— -The  only  piece  of  silver  plate  left  here  is  the 
paten-cover  of  a vanished  cup.  It  is  of  the  usual  pattern,  4Jin. 
in  diameter,  with  a small  button.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date- 
letter  for  1632 ; maker’s  mark,  I.B.,  with  a buckle  beneath  in 
shield,  given  by  Cripps  under  1638,  ‘the  buckle  probably  re- 
ferring to  the  maker’s  name.’ 

A plated  cup,  inscribed : 4 Presented  to  the  Parish  of  Wan- 
strow,  Somerset  by  the  Rev.  E.  D.  Slade,  A.B.,  Rector  Easter 
1834.’  A plated  flagon  inscribed  : 4 Presented  to  the  Parish 
of  Wanstrow,  Somerset  on  the  reopening  of  the  Church  after 
Restoration  by  the  Rev.  C.  H.  Bousfield  M.A,  curate  Oct.  11, 
1876.’  The  donor,  after  fruitful  labours  at  Poole,  became 
rector  of  Bratton  St.  Maur  in  1896,  and  was  killed  by  a fall 
from  his  tricycle  the  following  year.  A plated  salver  : 4 W an- 
strow  Church.’ 

Whatley.-— A chalice  and  paten,  wholly  gilt,  of  good 
mediaeval  design,  bearing  the  date-letter  for  1857.  A shallow 
dish,  6in.  in  diameter,  wholly  gilt,  no  marks.  The  only  orna- 
ment is  a small  floriated  cross,  within  circle  on  the  brim.  A 
pewter  bowl  once  used  as  an  almsdish. 

Witham  Friary. — -An  Elizabethan  cup  and  cover  of  late 
date.  The  cup  is  7|in.  high,  with  a deep,  narrow  bowl  devoid 
of  ornamentation.  The  foot  is  slightly  moulded  ; the  cover  is 
also  perfectly  plain.  Marks  (same  on  both  pieces)  : 2 offic. ; 
date-letter  for  1592  ; maker’s  mark,  M.  in  shield  ; also  found 
at  East  Cranmore  (1576),  and  Odcombe  (1574).  A silver 
flagon  of  jug  pattern,  with  date-letter  for  1868. 

Woodlands. — -The  original  church  here  was  built  by 
Viscount  Weymouth  in  1712,  but  the  communion  plate  is  of 
the  Victorian  era.  It  consists  of  a chalice  and  paten,  silver- 
gilt,  of  modern  ecclesiastical  design,  with  the  date-letter  for 
1857. 


174 


Papers , fyc. 


Woolverton. — A large  cup  of  the  Georgian  era.  It 
stands  7 Jin.  high,  and  weighs  15oz.  ldwt.  Inscription  on  the 
howl  runs  : ‘Woolverton  in  Com.  Somfett  1731.’  Marks:  2 
offic.;  date-letter  for  1730;  maker’s  mark,  illegible.  The 
accompanying  paten,  though  plain,  is  very  good  of  its  kind. 
It  measures  5^in.  across.  There  are  the  same  inscription  and 
marks  as  on  the  cup,  and  again  the  maker’s  mark  is  obliterated. 
A modern  pewter  flagon,  and  a plated  salver. 


MARTOCK  DISTRICT. 

Ash.— A modern  parish  formerly  part  of  Martock.  The 
church  was  built  and  the  plate  given  in  1841.  There  are  two 
cups,  a paten  on  foot,  and  a salver,  each  inscribed  : £ Trinity 
Chapel,  Martock  Somerset  1841.’  A glass  cruet  with  silver 
fittings  was  given  at  the  re-consecration  of  the  chancel  1889. 
A small  plate,  electro. 

Brympton. — A cup  of  the  baluster-stem  pattern  with 
cover,  very  plain.  The  cup  stands  7in.  high.  Marks : 2 
offic. ; date-letter  for  1629  ; maker’s  mark,  C.C.  separated  by  a 
column  or  tree  in  shield,  given  in  Cripps  under  this  year.  It 
is  inscribed  : 4 The  guift  of  J ohn  Sidenham  Esq.’  The  cover 
is  5jin.  wide  with  a flange  to  fit  on  the  lip  of  the  cup,  rudely 
made,  no  marks  visible.  On  the  button  within  an  oval  sur- 
rounded by  mantling  is  a ram’s  head  charged  with  the  badge 
of  Ulster  ; underneath  the  motto  Medio  tutissimus . The 
flagon,  8in.  high,  is  of  the  round-bellied  pattern,  with  a 
rounded  lid  and  a whistle  handle.  An  ugly  and  clumsily-made 
spout  has  been  added,  and  openings  pierced  in  the  lip  to  allow 
the  contents  to  be  poured  out  the  new  way.  On  the  lid  and 
the  left  side  of  the  neck,  the  latter  a very  unusual  position,  are 
the  marks:  .2  offic.;  date-letter  for  1619;  maker’s  mark  in 
shield,  H.S.  with  small  object  beneath.  The  flagon  is  inscribed : 
4 Given  * to  * Brmpton  * Parish  • by  * the  * Gvarden  * of  * the  * 


An  Inventory  of  Church,  Plate. 


175 


Persone  : of  • Iohn  * Sidenhame  * Esqr  * his  Maties  Warde  * 
25  * September  1637.’  4 The  Sydenham  crest,  on  a chapeau  a 

wolf  rampant,  is  engraved  on  the  lid  and  on  the  front  of  the 
spout.  Mr.  Franks  has  found  that  this  device  was  the  third 
crest  of  Sir  Philip  Sydenham,  and  was  therefore  added  c.  1720, 
after  the  flagon  was  given  to  the  Church.’  [This  is  from  the 
Proc.  Soc.  Antiq.  8th  May,  1890,  kindly  communicated  by  the 
Hon.  Sir  S.  B.  Ponsonby  Fane  of  Brympton  House,  but  I 
venture  to  read  the  second  initial  of  the  maker  as  an  S instead 
of  I.]  This  mark  is  not  in  Cripps.  John  Sydenham,  the 
ward,  the  donor  of  the  flagon,  and  most  probably  of  the  cup 
and  cover  as  well,  succeeded  his  father  John  10th  March, 
1626.  He  was  created  a Baronet  1641.  His  grandson,  Sir 
Philip  Sydenham,  presented  a paten  on  foot  with  goiffered 
mouldings.  It  is  8Jin.  wide.  Marks  : 2 of  Brit,  sterling  ; 
date-letter  for  1699  ; maker’s  mark,  S.H.  in  elaborate  shield  ; 
not  in  Cripps.  It  is  inscribed  : 4 The  gift  of  ye  Honble  Sr 
Philip  Sydenham  Bar*  to  ye  Church  of  Brympton  Anno 
Donfl  1699.’  Within  mantling  is  a shield  bearing  his  arms  : 
4 A chevron  betw.  3 rams  trippant.’  Crest,  ram’s  head.  The 
donor  was  the  last  baronet.  For  an  account  of  his  life  and 
misfortunes,  see  Mr.  Batten’s  Historical  Notes  on  South 
Somerset  under  Brympton. 

Chilthorne  Domer.— The  plate  here  is  all  modern.  It 
consists  of  two  cups,  two  patens,  and  a flagon,  each  piece  bear- 
ing the  date  letter  for  1817,  and  the  inscription,  4 The  gift  of 
John  Bayly,  vicar  to  the  parish  of  Chilthorne,  1817.’  The 
donor  died  in  1857,  aged  89  years,  after  an  incumbency  of  43 
years’  duration  ; M.I.  in  chancel. 

Chiselborough. — An  Elizabethan  cup  and  cover,  differ- 
ing in  details  from  the  usual  pattern  in  the  diocese.  The  cup 
stands  6 Jin.  high  ; the  bowl  is  deep  and  rounded  at  the  base  : 
it  has  one  band  of  running  ornament.  The  stem  has  a small 
knop  ; the  foot  is  flattened  and  plain.  Marks  : 2 oflic.  ; date 
letter  for  1571  ; maker’s  mark  doubtful,  perhaps  a mullet  with 


176 


Papers,  Sfc. 


fiery  points.  This  mark  is  also  found  at  Beckington  (1571), 
and  Elms  (1571),  in  this  county,  see  ante.  It  is  not  in  Cripps. 
The  cover  is  devoid  of  ornament,  instead  of  the  usual  flat 
button,  it  has  a rounded  top,  which  once  had  a small  object  on 
it,  but  this  is  now  broken  off ; the  whole  of  the  top  part  may  be 
a reparation.  It  has  the  same  date  letter  as  the  cup,  but  the 
maker’s  mark  are  the  letters  A.K.  in  monogram  as  at  Asliing- 
ton  and  Doulting.  There  is  also  a chalice  with  paten  of 
mediaeval  design,  which,  with  a flagon,  were  given  by  Mrs. 
Garrow,  widow  of  the  late  incumbent,  in  1868.  A plated 
paten  on  foot,  inscribed— 4 De  : do  : Geo  : Garrow  : Rec  : 
Chiselbro’,  a.d.  1857.’  A pewter  plate,  stamped  A.N.,  on  the 
under  side  is  scratched,  6 Chiselborough  Church  ; a present 
from  John  and  Amy  Davy,  Dec.  8,  1833.’ 

East  Chinnock. — A fine  Elizabethan  cup  and  cover, 
silver-gilt.  The  cup  stands  6J in.  high ; the  bowl  is  trumpet- 
shaped with  one  band  of  running  ornament,  but  without  the 
usual  vertical  designs  at  the  intersections  of  the  fillets.  The 
knop  and  foot  are  plain,  the  latter  being  slightly  moulded. 
The  cover  is  of  the  usual  pattern ; it  has  been  roughly  mended  ; 
on  the  bottom  is  the  date  1571.  Marks  (same  on  both  pieces)  : 
2 offic. ; date  letter  for  1571  ; maker’s  mark,  a bird’s  head 
erased  in  shaped  punch  as  on  cover  (1570)  at  Holton. 

A very  large  cup,  silver-gilt,  lOJin.  high.  The  bowl  is 
nearly  straight-sided,  with  a thick,  clumsy  stem,  encircled  by 
a rudimentary  knop,  and  a moulded  foot.  Marks  : 2 offic.  of 
Brit,  sterling;  date-letter  for  1705  ; maker’s  initials  P.E.  in 
shield  ; not  in  Cripps.  Partly  within  and  partly  without  a 
circle  on  the  bowl  is  a dedicatory  inscription  : 4 The  gift  of 
Mr.  Wm.  Salisbury  gentleman  of  Barkin  Essex  1705.’  4 Mr. 

William  Salisbury,  of  Barking,  in  Essex,  who  lies  buried  in 
the  chancel  here,  gave  to  this  parish  a large  silver  cup,  gilt, 
for  the  use  of  the  altar  ; and  five  pounds  a year  to  the  poor  for 
ever.  He  also  left  ten  shillings  to  the  minister  to  preach  a 
sermon  on  the  eighteenth  day  of  June,  to  be  paid  out  of  his 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate.  177 

estate  lying  in  the  forest  of  Neroche,  and  in  the  parish  of 
Barrington,  in  this  county’ — Collinson , vol.  II,  p.  328.  A 
plain  salver,  8fin.  in  diameter,  inscribed  4 A gift  to  the 
Church  of  East  Chinncok  (sic)  1726.’  Marks  : 2 offic.  ; date- 
letter  for  1725  ; maker’s  mark,  I.S.  in  shield;  not  in  Cripps. 

Hardington  Mandeville.— An  Elizabethan  cup  and 
cover  in  good  preservation  by  I.P.,  and  of  his  usual  pattern. 
The  cup  is  6§in.  high ; two  bands  of  ornament  round  bowl, 
hyphen  band  round  knop  and  foot.  There  is  also  a band  of 
ornament  round  the  cover,  on  the  button  of  which  is  engraved 
the  date  1574.  Marks  (same  on  both  pieces)  : 2 offic. ; date- 
letter  for  1573  ; maker’s  mark,  the  initials  I.P.  in  shield. 

Haselbury  Plttcknett.— The  cup  is  very  handsome  ; it 
stands  6 Jin.  high.  The  bowl  is  large  ; the  upper  part  is  plain  ; 
midway  there  is  a band  of  three-cornered  patterns  inclosing 
small  ornaments  ; the  lower  part  of  the  bowl  is  fluted.  On 
the  stem  is  a small  knop ; the  spreading  foot  is  elaborately 
moulded.  Marks  : 2 offic.  ; no  date-letter  visible ; maker’s 
mark  partly  worn  away,  either  I.S.  or  S.I.  in  shaped  punch. 
So  far  as  it  is  visible  it  does  not  appear  to  resemble  any  mark 
in  Cripps.  The  cup  somewhat  resembles  one  at  Evercreech  c. 
1700,  and  another  at  Swanage  1692,  and  may  be  dated  about 
the  close  of  the  seventeenth  century.  A salver  with  gad- 
rooned  edge,  on  three  feet,  diam.  6 Jin.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date- 
letter  for  1742  ; maker’s  mark,  R.A.,  in  script  letters  = Robert 
Abercromby,  entered  1739.  A large  and  handsome  flagon  of 
the  coffee-pot  pattern.  It  is  10 Jin.  high  to  lip,  and  12 Jin.  to 
top  of  lid.  Marks:  2 offic.;  date-letter  for  1760;  maker’s 
initials  E.R.,  probably  E.  Romer ; v.  Cripps , p.  419.  The 
flagon  is  inscribed  £ The  gift  of  William  Hoskins  of  Hassel- 
bury  in  the  County  of  Somerset,  who  died  October  12th,  1760.’ 
Arms  in  shield  : Per  pale  gu.  and  az.,  a chevr.  engr.  betw. 
three  lions  ramp.  or.  Crest : A cock’s  head.  In  the  chancel 
of  H.  P.  church  there  is  his  monument : ‘ In  a vault  under- 
neath lies  the  body  of  William  Hoskyns,  late  of  this  parish, 


Vol.  XL1  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


z 


178 


Papers , 8fc. 


gentleman,  who  died  the  12th  of  October,  1760,  aged  52  years. 
Also  the  body  of  Joan  Hoskyns,  his  wife,  who  died  the  21st 
of  May  1776  aged  62  years.’  Arms,  etc.,  as  on  flagon. 

Long  Load. — This  tithing,  though  part  of  Martock  parish, 
has  generally  possessed  a separate  place  of  worship.  The 
original  building  4 callyd  or  ladyes  chapell  scituate  nere  unto 
the  mansion  place  of  the  saide  Manor  was  plucked  down  and 
solde  by  the  Duke  of  Suffolk  lord  of  the  manor  in  1541  ’ 
(Som.  Rec.  Soc.  ii,  111,  296).  It  is  some  comfort  to  think 
that  the  Duke  was  himself  plucked  down  and  beheaded  in 
1553.  A chalice  of  silver,  weighing  13oz.,  disappeared  in  the 
ruins  of  the  chapel.  The  chapel  was  re-endowed  1733,  but  it 
is  arguable  that  it  may  have  been  rebuilt  at  an  earlier  date, 
as  Collinson , in  1791,  describes  it  as  4 a small  ruinous  building, 
fifty-three  feet  long,  and  seventeen  wide,  with  a wooden  turret 
at  the  west  end  containing  a clock  and  two  bells.’  The  present 
building  dates  from  1856.  The  vessels  consist  of  a cup  and 
salver  of  plated  metal.  Each  piece  is  inscribed  4 Revd.  C. 
Harbin;  Mr.  Josph  Williams,  Mr.  Willm  Perrin,  Church- 
wardens, Load  1825.’ 

Lufton. — The  cup  is  one  of  those  shapeless  vessels  found 
at  the  dawn  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  very  similar  to 
that  at  Sutton  Bingham  and  Bishop  Ken’s  at  Frome.  It  is 
6 Jin.  high ; the  bowl  passes  imperceptibly  into  the  stem 
except  that  the  incised  lines  mark  the  boundary.  The  foot  is 
slightly  moulded.  On  the  bowl  is  4 Lufton.’  Marks  : 2 of 
Brit,  sterling;  date-letter  for  1713;  maker’s  mark,  F.A.,  in 
oblong  punch  = John  Fawdery.  A small  plain  paten  on  foot ; 
diam.  4Jin.  Only  mark,  the  initials  F.A.  as  above  repeated 
four  times  in  a row.  Another  paten  on  large  foot,  diam  5in. 
Marks  : 2 offic.  ; date-letter  for  1721  ; maker’s  mark,  B.N., 
above  a fleur-de-lys  in  heart-shaped  punch  — Bowles  Nash. 

Martock. — This  the  largest  parish  in  the  Deanery  pos- 
sesses hardly  any  ancient  plate.  There  are  two  cups  of  the 
usual  pattern  of  the  Victorian  era  with  the  date-letter  for 


179 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate. 

1861.  One  bears  this  tell-tale  inscription  : 4 The  gift  of  Eliz  : 
Daughter  of  John  Jeans  of  Aish*  To  the  Communion  Table 
of  Martock.’ 

The  patens  are  also  two  in  number  of  the  usual  shape.  One 
is  of  the  same  date  as  the  cups  ; the  other  has  the  date  letter 
for  1758;  2 offic.  marks,  and  the  maker’s  name  R.  Cox  in  a 
shaped  punch  (not  in  Cripps)  ; and  the  same  dedicatory  inscrip- 
tion as  on  the  cup.  The  flagon  is  a good  specimen  of  its  kind, 
tall,  the  drum  slightly  increasing  in  diameter  towards  the  base, 
a massive  handle  and  domed  cover.  It  has  the  same  marks 
and  inscription  as  on  the  paten.  No  doubt  the  gift  of  Eliza- 
beth Jeans  originally  included  a cup  as  well  as  paten  and 
flagon.  However,  when  a second  cup  was  provided  in  1861, 
it  was  thought  well,  for  the  sake  of  symmetry,  to  make  it 
match  the  new  comer  ; as  to  which  deed  one  can  only  say  : “ je 
ne  vois  pas  la  necessite.” 

Middle  Chinnock. — Here  there  is  still  preserved  the 
original  Elizabethan  cup  and  cover  (the  latter  somewhat 
damaged.)  The  cup  is  6§in.  high.  Contrary  to  the  maker’s 
usual  practice  there  is  only  one  belt  of  running  ornament  round 
the  bowl ; the  knop  has  the  hyphen  ornament ; the  foot  is  plain. 
The  hyphen  ornament  is  also  found  on  the  cover.  Marks  (same 
on  both)  : 2 offic. ; date  letter  for  1574  ; maker’s  mark  I.P. 
There  is  also  a rudely  designed  paten  consisting  of  a flat 
roundel  of  silver-plate  turned  up  at  the  rim,  and  mounted  on  a 
tall,  slender  foot  ; no  marks  nor  inscription.  An  electro- 
plated flagon. 

Montacute. — This  parish  has  some  interesting  pieces,  both 
ecclesiastical  and  secular.  The  Elizabethan  cup  and  cover, 
silver-gilt,  are  of  the  usual  pattern  of  I. P.’s  work.  The  cup  is 
6|in.  high;  on  the  button  of  the  cover  is  the  date  1574. 
Marks  : 2 offic. ; date  letter  for  1573 ; maker’s  mark,  I.P. 
Two  patens  silver-gilt.  Each  piece  is  8 Jin.  in  diameter,  with 
a plainly  moulded  edge.  Marks : 2 offic.  of  Brit,  sterling  ; 


A hamlet  in  Martock. 


180 


Papers , fyc. 

date  letter  for  1713  ; maker’s  mark  G,  inclosing  A in  orna- 
mental shield  = Francis  Garthorne.  In  the  centre  of  each 
piece  are  the  arms  of  the  family  of  Phelips,  of  Montacute 
— arg.  a chevron  betw.  3 roses,  gu.,  in  a lozenge  supported  by 
two  lions.  Motto,  pro  aris  et  focis. 

A Victorian  communion-cup,  silver-gilt,  with  the  date  letter 
for  1870,  hearing  the  inscription:  ‘Presented  by  C.  C. 
Goodden,  Vicar  of  Montacute,  1871.’ 

A pair  of  candlesticks  silver-gilt  on  broad  octagonal  feet. 
The  stems  are  fluted,  and  there  are  bands  of  oblique  gadroon 
ornament  round  the  top,  the  flange  at  base  of  stem,  and  on  the 
foot.  Marks  : 2 offic.  ; date-letter  for  1691  ; maker’s  mark, 
within  a shield  the  initials  D.B.  with  a small  crescent  below. 
These  initials  with  crescent  in  a differently  shaped  shield  are 
ascribed  to  Buteux  in  1685.  These  pieces  are  inscribed  : ‘ In 
memorial  of  an  excellent  wife  and  her  7 children,  These  are 
D.D.  to  the  use  of  the  alter  (sic)  in  Montacute  Church  a.d. 
1796.’  This  inscription  is  accompanied  by  a shield  surrounded 
by  mantling,  bearing  : a saltire  engr.  betw.  4 roses  (Napier), 
Imp.,  a chevron  betw.  3 falcons  (Worsley). 

A beautiful  oblong  salver  and  ewer.  The  salver  is  14in. 
long,  and  10 Jin.  wide  ; weight,  43 oz.  13dwt.  The  moulded 
edge  encloses  a band  of  engraved  and  repousse  work.  Within 
this  is  an  oval  depression.  In  the  centre  is  a circular  flange 
to  secure  the  foot  of  the  ewer.  Marks  : 2 offic.  of  Brit,  ster- 
ling ; date-letter  for  1724  ; maker’s  mark  in  a shaped  punch, 
S.A.  under  crown  ; not  in  Cripps.  Within  the  flange  is  a 
silver  plate  on  which  is  engraved  a female  figure  resting  on  an 
anchor  and  supporting  a shield  bearing  the  Phelips  arms ; 
round  this  is  an  inscription  : 4 In  memory  of  John  Phelips  who 
Died  in  the  Service  of  his  Country,  a Lieutenant  in  the  Royal 
Navy  in  the  year  1781  Aged  26.  This  Dish  and  Ewer  Pur- 
chased by  his  Effects  is  Dedicated  for  the  Use  of  the  Sacra- 
mental Altar  in  the  Church  of  Montacute,  in  the  year  1786.’ 
The  ewer  will  be  best  explained  by  the  accompanying  illustra- 


MONTACUTE. 

EWER. 


EARLY  I8TH  CENT. 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate. 


181 


tion  (from  a photograph  taken  by  W.  R.  Phelips  of  Montacute 
House,  Esq.)  It  weighs  30oz.  ; there  are  no  marks  visible, 
but  they  may  be  hidden  by  a silver  plate  which  has  been 
affixed  under  the  spout.  On  this  plate  is  a shield,  bearing  : 
Phelips  the  quarterly  coat  i.e.  1 and  4 Phelips,  2 and  3 on  a 
chevr.  3 birds’  heads  erased  (Phillips),  Imp.  az.  within  a 
double  tressure  flory-counter-flory,  on  a fess  betw.  3 martlets 
arg.  as  many  crosses  crosslet  of  the  field  (Wright).  Sup- 
porters and  motto  as  on  the  patens. 

Sir  Nathaniel  Napier,  Bart.,  of  More  Critchell,  Dorset, 
married  firstly,  Jane,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Worsley,  of 
Appledurcomb,  Isle  of  Wight,  and  secondly,  Catherine, 
daughter  of  William  Lord  Allington,  who  died  1724.  His 
eldest  surviving  son,  by  the  second  marriage,  Sir  Gerard 
Napier,  married  Bridget,  daughter  of  Edward  Phelips,  of 
Montacute,  and  on  his  death,  23rd  October,  1759,  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  eldest  surviving  son,  Sir  Gerard  Napier,  who 
married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  W.  Oglander,  of  Nunwell, 
Isle  of  Wight.  He  died  26th  January,  1765,  when  the 
Baronetcy  became  extinct.  By  his  will  he  divided  his  prop- 
erty between  his  cousins,  Humphrey  Sturt  and  Edward  Phelips. 

Edward  Phelips  married  Maria  Wright,  and  had  a family 
of  seven  children : — 1,  Edward,  M.P.  for  Somerset  d.v.p. 
1797  ; 2,  William,  rector  of  Cucklington  and  Stoke  Trister, 
succeeded  his  father  in  1799  ; 3,  John,  Lieut.  R.N.,  died 
1781  ; 4,  Charles,  of  Briggins  Park,  Herts.  1,  Elizabeth,  m. 
1 John  Clarke,  Esq.,  2 Peter  Bluett,  Esq. ; 2,  Maria,  m.  John 
Old  Goodford,  Esq. ; 3,  Rhoda,  m.  William  Harbin,  Esq. 

North  Perrott.—- The  plate  here  is  interesting  and 
curious.  An  Elizabethan  cup  and  cover  of  an  earlier  date 
than  is  usual  in  this  diocese.  The  cup  is  5fin.  high  ; there  is 
one  band  of  running  ornament  round  the  bowl,  under  its  base 
egg-and-dart  ornament;  above  and  below  the  stem  bands  of 
upright  strokes ; on  the  foot  another  band  of  egg-and-dart 
ornament.  Marks:  2 offic. ; date-letter  for  1571;  maker’s 


182 


Papers , &fc. 


mark,  a stag’s  head  caboshed  in  punch,  not  in  Cripps.  The 
cover  is  quite  plain  ; on  the  button  is  the  date  1571.  Marks  : 
2 offic.;  date-letter  for  1571  ; maker’s  mark,  M.L.  in  mono- 
gram in  shield,  not  in  Cripps.  A small  paten  of  peculiar 
design.  An  octagonal  piece  of  thin  silver  plate  4§in.  across 
has  had  a circle  cut  in  the  middle,  and  a shallow  dish  fitted  in 
the  opening.  Bound  the  fiat  portion  is  the  inscription  : ‘John 
Myntern  And  William  Bragge  wardens  1694.’  There  are  no 
marks. 

A plain  cup,  parcel-gilt,  7in.high,  inscribed  : ‘ North  Perrott 
a.d.  MDCCCXIX.’  Marks  : 3 offic.  ; date-letter  for  1817. 

A pair  of  salvers,  with  gadrooned  edges,  on  three  feet ; 
diameter  7|in.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date-letter  for  1752,  maker’s 
mark  in  punch  I.M.,  in  script  letters  ; not  in  Cripps.  Same 
inscription  as  on  cup.  A flagon  of  tankard  type,  with  sloping 
sides,  Sin.  high  to  lip,  10 Jin.  to  button  on  lid,  diam.  of  foot 
5fin.  It  is  inscribed  : ‘ Given  to  the  parish  of  North  Perrott 
by  William  Hoskins  churchwarden  1845.’  Marks  : 2 offic.  ; 
date-letter  for  1768  ; maker’s  mark,  I.K.  in  oblong  punch; 
perhaps  the  initials  of  John  King. 

Norton-SUB-Hamdon. — A beautiful  cup  and  cover  of  the 
Elizabethan  era.  The  cup  is  7 Jin.  high  ; the  bowl  is  deep 
with  a slight  lip,  which  is  encircled  with  a band  of  ornament. 
Bound  the  middle  of  the  bowl  is  another  band  with  elaborate 
designs  at  the  intersections  of  the  fillets.  This  band  of  orna- 
ment has  designs  of  actual  flowers  instead  of  conventional 
patterns  ; the  rose,  convolvulus  and  acorn  being  very  plain  ; at 
the  base  of  the  bowl  are  three  fieur-de-lys.  The  knop  and  the 
domed  part  of  the  foot  have  hyphen-bands ; on  the  spread  of 
the  foot  is  the  egg-and-dart  ornament.  The  cover  is  of  the 
usual  shape,  with  one  band  of  ornament ; on  the  button  is  the 
date  1601.  Marks  (same  on  both  pieces)  : 2 offic.  ; date-letter 
for  1601  ; maker’s  mark,  in  shield,  I.B.  above  four  dots;  this 
is  not  in  Cripps.  The  Bev.  A.  G.  Edwards,  rector  of  the 
parish,  kindly  took  the  photograph  of  the  cup  and  cover. 


NORTON-SUB-HAMDON. 
ELIZABETHAN  CUP  AND  PATEN 


1601, 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate.  183 

Another  cup,  parcel-gilt,  with  hand  of  ornament  round  lip,  and 
the  sacred  monogram  in  centre  of  bowl.  The  date-letter  is  that 
for  1796.  It  hears  an  inscribed  date  1814,  so  it  was  no  doubt 
part  of  a donation  which  also  included  a flagon  and  a dish, 
which  bears  this  inscription  : 4 The  gift  of  Phillipa  Quantock 
to  the  parish  of  Norton-sub-Hamdon  1814.’  There  was  in  the 
tower  of  the  church,  but  unfortunately  destroyed  in  the  fire  of 
August,  1894,  a monument:  4 Sacred  to  the  memory  of 
Phillipa  Quantock,  who  died  at  Bath,  May  13th,  1826,  aged 
82.  She  was  the  only  surviving  daughter  of  Mathew  Quan- 
tock, Esq.,  of  Norton-sub-Hamdon,  in  this  County.’  [From 
History  of  Norton-s-Hamdon,  by  C.  Trask,  1898.] 

Odcombe. — In  addition  to  a fine  Elizabethan  cup  and 
cover,  the  parish  possesses  a magnificent  standing  cup  of  the 
Edmonds  pattern,  specimens  of  which  have  been  already  noted 
at  Yarlington  and  Horsington.  The  Elizabethan  cup  is  8 Jin. 
high ; the  bowl  has  one  band  of  running  ornament ; above  and 
below  the  stem  are  bands  of  raised  ovals  with  pellets  in  centre  ; 
on  the  spread  of  the  foot  is  a belt  of  egg-and-dart  ornament. 
These  parts  are  gilt.  The  cover  is  of  the  usual  pattern  with 
a band  of  ornament  gilt.  On  the  button  is  the  date  1575  in 
such  queer  figures  that  it  has  often  been  read  as  1717.  Marks 
(same  on  both  pieces)  : 2 offic. ; date-letter  for  1574  ; maker’s 
mark,  M in  shield,  as  at  Cranmore  E.  1576,  and  Witham  1592. 

A plain  dish  (soup-plate  pattern),  7 Jin.  across  with  the  date- 
letter  for  1806.  Inscribed  : 4 The  gift  of  Susanna,  Wife  of  the 
Rev.  P.  A.  French,  Rector  of  Odcombe  Somerset  a.d.  1808.’ 

The  standing  cup  is  silver-gilt,  11  Jin.  high  to  lip,  the 
diameter  of  the  bowl  being  4Jin.  The  bowl  is  divided  by  a 
small  rib  into  two  portions.  On  the  upper  part  is  a represen- 
tation in  repousse  work  of  the  sea  with  various  sea  monsters  ; 
the  lower  part  are  upright  leaves  and  flowers.  Marks  : 2 
offic. ; date-letter  for  1614  ; maker’s  mark  in  a shield,  I.M.  and 
F.B.  The  cover  is  6 Jin.  high.  It  has  the  same  representation 
of  the  sea  with  monsters  and  a tub  floating  on  the  waves.  The 


184 


Papers , Sfc. 


sides  of  the  steeple  are  not  pierced  ; this  detracts  from  its 
general  appearance  by  making  the  cover  look  heavy.  There 
is  no  inscription  on  the  cup,  hut  in  the  parish  register  is  this 
note  : 4 1718,  About  this  time  there  was  given  to  the  parish  of 
Odcombe  a Large  silver-gilt  Chalice  and  Cover,' by  Mrs. 
Wortley,  who  was  the  Relict  of  Mr.  Edmund  Brickenden, 
the  late  Revd  Rector  of  ye  Parish  of  Odcombe.  This  is  re- 
corded in  a grateful  remembrance  of  their  benefaction  by  Ed. 
Gilling  Curate  of  Odcomb.’  [Communicated  by  the  Rev.  E. 
W.  Collin,  rector  of  O.]  E.  Brickenden  was  instituted  2nd 
July,  1702,  and  died  15th  February,  1707-8. 

Pendomer. — This  little  parish  has  a very  interesting  post- 
mediseval  chalice.  It  stands  6 Jin.  high ; diameter  of  bowl  at 
lip  3 Jin.,  depth  Sin.  The  bowl  is  straight-sided  and  circular  at 
base.  The  stem  is  hexagonal.  The  round  knop  is  broad  and 
clumsy,  channelled  into  ridges  terminating  in  diamond  facets. 
Below  the  knop,  the  stem  widens  out  into  a flat  foot  with  con- 
cave lobes.  The  projecting  points  between  the  lobes  terminate 
in  small  ornaments  technically  called  toes.  Here  they  are 
minute  cherubs,  only  one  of  which  is  perfect,  the  other  five 
being  partially  or  wholly  destroyed.  The  foot  terminates  in 
an  upright  basement  moulding  encircled  by  a flat  rim.  The 
only  mark,  partially  obliterated,  is,  perhaps,  I.S.  in  shaped 
punch.  The  chalice  is  inscribed  : ‘The  gift  of  the  lady  Ann 
Pollet  to  Pendomer  Church.’  The  family  of  Paulet,  of 
Hinton  St.  George,  owned  Pendomer  from  1630  to  1803. 
John,  second  Baron  Paulet,  died  in  1665,  leaving  a widow, 
Anne,  second  daughter  and  co-heir  of  Sir  Thomas  Browne, 
Bart.  This  is  the  only  “ Lady  Anne  Paulet  ” in  the  pedigree 
of  the  family  ( Collins  on  II,  167),  and  the  date  agrees  very  well 
with  that  when  this  particular  pattern  was  in  fashion  [see 
Redlynch  in  Bruton  Deanery,  vol.  xliii.  ii.  197.]  Now,  in  the 
church  of  the  adjacent  town  of  Crewkerne,  in  the  north  aisle  is 
a monument — ‘ Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Edward  Sweet  Gold- 
smith who  departed  this  life  the  15  day  of  March  1684  In  the 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate . 


185 


44  year  of  his  age.  Here  also  lyeth  the  body  of  Thomas 
Sweet  son  of  Edward  and  Mary  Sweet  who  departed  this  life 
the  15  day  of  April  1713  In  the  32  year  of  his  age.’  On 
another  monument — 4 Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Anna  Sweet 
widow  who  was  wife  to  Mr.  Richard  Sweet  of  this  towne  gold- 
smith. Shee  departed  this  life  the  27th  day  of  February  in 
the  72nd  year  of  her  age,  and  was  buryed  the  5th  day  of 
March  Anno  Dom.  1683-4.’  It  is  quite  likely,  therefore,  that 
some  earlier  member  of  this  family  may  have  made  the  cup. 
The  first  initial  on  the  punch,  though  blurred,  is  most  probably 
an  I,  the  second  is  certainly  an  S. 

The  cover  is  of  an  ordinary  pattern  with  button.  On  this 
has  been  engraved  the  sacred  monogram  within  rayed  circle. 
This  seems  to  have  been  done  after  the  marks  had  been  struck, 
with  the  result  that  the  two  official  marks  (and  they  only)  are 
just  distinguishable. 

A paten  on  foot,  8in.  in  diameter,  the  rim  of  plate  and  foot 
decorated  with  oblique  gadrooning.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date 
letter  for  1693  ; maker’s  mark  T.B.  in  shaped  punch,  perhaps 
Thos.  Brydon.  In  middle  of  the  plate  is  the  sacred  monogram 
within  rayed  circle  ; on  the  underside,  “ In  usum  Ecclesiag 
Pendomer  in  comit.  Som’sett  1696.” 

Stoke-sub-Hamdon. — Here  there  is  a plain  cup  and  cover 
of  the  early  17th  century  work.  The  cup  is  7fin.  high;  the 
bowl  is  conical-shaped,  with  slight  lip ; the  stem  is  thick,  with 
an  annular  knop,  the  foot  moulded.  It  is  inscribed  : 4 Stoke 
Subhamden  1635.’  Marks:  2 offic.;  date-letter  for  1635; 
maker’s  mark,  an  anchor  between  the  initials  D.G.  in  shield. 
The  cover  is  flattened  with  a wide  brim.  It  has  the  same  in- 
scription and  marks  as  the  cup.  A flagon  and  paten  with  a 
cover  of  plated  metal. 

Thorne  (near  Yeovil). — A small  but  good  specimen  of 
I. P.’s  work.  The  cup  is  only  5|in.  high  ; round  the  bowl  are 
two  bands  of  ornament ; the  knop  has  a band  of  hyphens ; the 
foot  is  plain.  There  is  a band  of  ornament  on  the  paten,  on 


Vol.  XL1  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


aa 


186 


Papers , Sfc. 


the  button  4 1574.’  Marks  (same  on  both  pieces)  : 2 offic. ; 
date-letter  for  1573  ; maker’s  mark  l.P. 

Some  pewter  vessels  are  still  preserved.  They  are  a small 
flagon,  a gigantic  paten  on  foot  (diam.  of  paten  10 Jin.),  and  an 
almsdish.  There  is  also  a plated  flagon. 

Tintinhull. — -At  the  present  time  this  parish  possesses  a 
large  plain  cup  and  cover  very  similar  to  the  vessels  at 
Ditcheat,  which  are  by  the  same  maker.  The  cup  is  7 Jin. 
high ; the  foot  is  moulded ; underneath  is  an  inscription  : 
4 This  Communion  Cupp  and  Cover  of  Tyntinhull  Parish 
Weigheth  18  ounces  12  dwt.’  Marks:  2 offic.;  date-letter 
for  1635  ; maker’s  mark,  R.W.  with  a rose  beneath  in  shaped 
punch.  The  cover  is  5Jin.  across  ; it  has  a wide  brim  and  no 
flange  ; same  marks  as  on  the  cup. 

The  Churchwardens’  Accounts  begin  in  1433.  From  the 
extracts  published  by  the  Somerset  Record  Society,  Vol.  IV, 
p.  175  seg.,  we  learn  something  about  the  mediaeval  plate. 

1436- 7  : It.  pro  labore  de  chalys,  unde  respeec  [?],  iiijd. 

1437- 8  : It  (Received)  de  tota  parochia  pro  una  cruce  et 
calice  de  novo  emptis,  ut  patet  per  parcellam  Ecclesie  in 
custod.  custodum,  xxxvjs.  xd.  In  expensis  : It.  pro  uno  calice 
de  novo  empte  per  sacramentum  computantum,  xxxs.  It.  pro 
una  cruce  de  copre  et  aurata  hoc  anno  per  sacramentum  dic- 
torum  computantum,  xxjs.  After  seventy  years  the  parish- 
ioners bought  a new  chalice  ; 1506-7  : It.  for  making  and 
gyltying  of  a chalyce  with  costs  made  in  the  puttyng  owt 
of  the  said  warke,  ponderat  xxj  unc.  et  dim.,  xlviijs.  vj<7.  This 
sum  is  nearly  twice  as  much  as  the  cost  of  the  old  one,  and 
there  are  no  extracts  to  tell  us  how  the  money  was  raised.  At 
Morebath,  Devon,  in  1534,  a new  chalice  to  replace  one  wdiich 
had  been  stolen  cost  30a*.  [p.  209  of  op.  cit. ] The  inventory 
for  this  year  includes  4ij  crewretts  off  sylver.’  In  1513  among 
the  expenses  is  an  item  of  xxd.  for  4 ij  peire  of  crewretts.' 

The  extracts  become  very  meagre  before  they  finish  in 
11.  Eliz.?  1569.  At  some  future  date  it  may  be  possible  to 


An  Inventory  of  Church  Plate. 


187 


find  some  more  items  about  the  plate,  and  particularly  con- 
cerning the  change  from  chalice  to  cup.  At  present,  in  a paper 
with  extracts  by  Rev.  J.  R.  Hyson  in  Som.  Arch.  Proc. 
xxxii.  ii.  86,  I find  that  in  1614  is  this  entry  : — Laid  out  for 
new  making  the  silver  cup  iiijs.  vj \d.  This  certainly  suggests 
the  idea  that  the  chalice  had  survived  down  to  that  date,  but 
then  the  question  arises,  why  the  parish  should  have  wanted 
another  one  so  soon  as  1635. 

West  Chinnock. — A fine  Elizabethan  cup  and  cover. 
The  cup  is  7T1Fin.  high.  The  bowl  is  deep  ; there  is  one  band 
of  running  ornament  of  an  unusual  pattern,  as  the  central  stem, 
from  which  the  conventional  leaves,  etc.,  spring,  does  not  wave 
from  side  to  side  between  the  enclosing  fillets,  but  keeps  in  the 
middle  between  them.  The  knop  is  small  with  a band  of 
hyphens.  The  outer  margin  of  the  foot  has  a peculiar  band 
of  ornament  made  up  of  alternate  bars  and  pierced  circles, 
with  pellets  in  the  interstices.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date-letter 
for  1570 ; maker’s  mark  indistinct,  perhaps  H.B.  in  a mono- 
gram within  a circle  ; not  in  Cripps.  The  cover  is  broad  with 
a wide  band  of  hyphen  marks.  Marks  : 2 offic. ; date-letter 
for  1570  ; maker’s  mark  practically  illegible.  A small  salver 
on  three  feet  and  a flagon,  both  plated. 


%>t.  3nne’s  Cfjapel,  IBiislington. 


BY  THE  KEY.  A.  RICHARDSON 


HE  manor  of  Brislington  was  in  the  honour  of  Glouces- 


-h  ter,  which  included  Bristol  and  Bristol  Castle,  and  was 
given  to  Robert  Fitzhamon  by  Rufus. 

Fitzhamon’s1  eldest  daughter  and  heiress,  Mabile,  married 
Count  Robert,  illegitimate  son  of  Henry  I,  and  who  was 
created  Earl  of  Gloucester2  on  his  marriage  with  Mabile,  as 
she  objected  to  marry  a commoner.3 

On  the  death  of  Robert  Earl  of  Gloucester  the  manor  of 
Brislington  passed  to  his  son,  William  Earl  of  Gloucester, 
who,  having  no  heir,  left  it  to  Henry  II  in  trust  for  his 
younger  son,  John,  afterwards  King  of  England,  but  Henry 
II  gave  it  back  to  Isabel,  sister  of  William  Earl  of  Glouces- 
ter, and  she,  on  her  marriage  with  King  John,  requested  that 
it  might  be  given  to  a knight  named  Sir  John  de  la  Warre,  in 
whose  family  it  remained  until  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth 
century.  The  De  la  Warres  were  raised  to  the  peerage  by 

(1) .  Fitzhamon  is  said  to  have  founded  Tewkesbury  Abbey,  where  he  is 
buried,  and  to  have  been  with  Rufus  at  Winchester  the  night  before  his  death 
in  the  New  Forest,  of  which  he  was  warned  by  a monk  who  had  a dream,  in 
which  be  saw  the  King  die  whilst  out  hunting. 

(2) .  Robert  Earl  of  Gloucester  espoused  the  cause  of  Maud,  daughter  of 
Henry  I,  in  her  war  with  Stephen,  the  Conqueror’s  youngest  son,  and  im- 
prisoned Stephen  in  Bristol  Castle,  which  he  rebuilt.  Robert  Earl  of  Glouces- 
ter’s figure  is  upon  one  of  the  Bristol  gates,  hung  up  above  the  entrance  to  the 
castle  at  Arno’s  Vale  (the  property  of  J.  C.  Clayfield-Ireland,  Esq.) 

(3) .  The  story  of  their  marriage  is  given  at  length  in  Seyer’s  Bristol  and 
Bristol  Past  and  Present,  vol.  i,  72.  See  Seyer,  vol.  i,  342  ; Collinson,  vol.  ii, 
400  ; Bristol  Past  and  Present,  vol.  i,  70,  71. 


St.  Anne  s Chapel , Brisling  ton. 


189 


Edward  I,  1298,  and  one  of  the  family  in  1356  was  present  at 
the  battle  of  Poictiers  with  Edward  the  Black  Prince.4 

The  manor  was  sold  by  the  De  la  Warre  family  to  the 
L^cys  in  the  sixteenth  century,  and  sold  by  the  Lacys  to  the 
Langtons  in  1653.  The  Langtons  built  Langton  Court  soon 
after  coming  into  possession,  which  is  still  standing — the 
former  manor  house  having  been  situated  at  the  other  end  of 
the  parish  towards  Filton,  now  known  as  the  Manor  House 
Farm,  on  the  property  of  J.  Cooke-Hurle,  Esq.5 

Colonel  William  Gore  married6  Miss  Langton,  the  heiress 
to  the  property,  and  by  right  of  his  wife  became  owner  of  the 
manor  towards  the  end  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  from 
him  it  passed  in  direct  descent  to  the  present  Lord  Temple, 
who  sold  it  about  fifteen  years  ago.7 

William  Wycester  (in  his  Itinerary,  page  191)  states  that 
a certain  Lord  de  la  Warre  founded  the  chapel  of  St.  Anne,  and 
there  is  little  doubt  that  Collinson  and  other  writers  are 
correct  in  stating  that  the  founder  gave  certain  endowments 
to  the  chapel,  viz:  land  for  the  erection  of  a house  for  a 
chaplain  at  Newycke  (traditionally  said  to  have  been  situated 
where  Wick  House,  the  residence  of  Mr.  T.  Harding,  now 
stands),  and  some  land  at  Hanham  and  Warley  Wood. 

The  chapel  and  its  endowments  are  mentioned  in  a lease 
granted  by  John,  last  abbot  of  Keynsham,  on  30th  of  June, 
1538,  to  Robert  Stafford,  yeoman,  of  Brislington. 

“To  all  the  faithful  in  Christ  to  whom  this  our  present 
indented  writing  cometh,  John,  by  divine  permission, 
abbot  of  the  monastery  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  the 
blessed  Apostles  Peter  and  Paul  of  Keynsham,  in  the 

(4) .  See  Collinson,  vol.  ii,  410,  411,  who  quotes  a charter  of  8 John  for  gift 
of  manor  to  De  la  Warre. 

(5) .  Mr.  J.  Cooke-Hurle’s  title  deeds. 

(6) .  This  marriage  is  in  the  Brislington  Parish  registers  of  marriages. 

(7) .  A considerable  portion  of  the  original  manorial  estates  had  passed 
away  previous  to  this  sale,  the  village  of  Brislington  having  formerly  belonged 
to  the  manor,  as  well  as  property  now  owned  by  Messrs.  Clayfield-Ireland, 
J.  Cooke-Hurle,  and  W.  J.  Braikenridge,  etc. 


190 


Papers , 8fc. 


county  of  Somerset,  and  the  convent  of  the  same  place 
send  greeting  in  our  Lord  everlasting,  and  know  ye  that 
in  the  aforesaid  abbot  and  convent  by  our  unanimous 
assent  and  consent  for  the  sum  of  forty  shillings  sterling 
to  us  in  hand  paid  by  Robert  Stafford  of  Bristtelen, 
yeoman,  the  receipt,  so  have  granted  all  that  one  house, 
situate  near  the  chapel  of  St.  Anne,  in  the  wood  at  the 
southern  part  of  the  said  chapel  in  the  parish  of  Bris- 
lington,  in  the  county  aforesaid,  and  called  Newyke, 
with  all  houses,  out-houses,  orchards,  to  the  said  house 
belonging  or  appertaining  ; also  the  4 chapel  ’ or  4 shrine 5 
in  which  the  image  of  St.  Anne  formerly  was,  with  the 
cemetery  in  which  the  said  4 chapel  ’ or  4 shrine  ’ now  is 
wjth  all  other  commodities,  profits,  advantages,  and  ease- 
ments and  the  said  house,  with  the  gardens,  orchards, 
chapel,  and  cemetary  belonging  or  appertaining.” 

This  lease  also  grants  44  H a me!  iff  e Wood  in  West  Hannam,” 
and  44  Cosyner’s  lez  under  Warley  Wood,”  to  Stafford  (evi- 
dently the  original  endowments  of  the  chapel,  the  gift  of  Lord 
de  la  Warre). 

The  date  of  the  foundation  of  the  chapel  is  uncertain,  but  it 
was  after  the  foundation  of  Keynsham  Abbey  in  11 70, 8 as  the 
chapel  was  founded  in  connection  with  that  abbey.  It  was 
before  1392,  as  a will  of  that  date  is  extant  in  which  a small 
legacy  is  left  to  the  chapel. 

Dallanay,  in  his  History  of  Bristol , thinks  that  the  chapel 
was  founded  by  the  same  Lord  de  la  Warre,  who  founded  St. 
Bartholomew’s  Hospital,  Bristol.  {See  Dallany,  p.  61). 

Messrs.  Nicholls  and  Taylor,  in  Bristol  Past  and  Present , 
place  St.  Anne’s  and  St.  Bartholomew’s  at  the  end  of  the 
thirteenth  century. 

Wycester,  in  his  Itinerary , says  St.  Bartholomew’s  Hos- 
ts). Keynsham  Abbey  was  founded  by  William  Earl  of  Gloucester,  to  the 
memory  of  his  son  Robert,  who  died  in  his  twentieth  year  (see  deed,  Bristol 
Museum).  Seyer,  vol.  i,  253.  Farmer's  Notitia  Monastica  (Som.)  Dugdale's 
Mouastiyon  Anglicanum,  vol.  vi. 


St.  Anne  s Chapel , Brislington. 


191 


pital  was  formerly  a priory  of  canons  regular,  founded  by  the 
ancestors  of  Lord  de  la  Warre,  and  adds  that  it  is  now  a hos- 
pital for  poor  persons.  (Wycester’s  Itinerary , p.  408). 

Barrett,  in  his  Bristol  Antiquities , refers  to  a deed  dated 
1386,  by  which  the  patronage  of  St.  Bartholomew’s  Hospital 
was  vested  in  the  De  la  W arre  family,  “ whose  ancestors 
founded  it.”  (Barrett,  p.  430). 

It  is  probable  that  the  founder  of  St.  Anne’s  Chapel  and 
also  of  St.  Bartholomew’s  Hospital  was  Roger  de  la  Warre , 
raised  to  the  peerage  in  1298  by  Edward  I.  He  is  described  in 
the  Complete  Peerage , by  G.  E.  C.,  as  of  Isfield,  Sussex,  and 
Wick-Warr,  co.  Gloucester,  in  which  county  it  says  he  had 
considerable  estates. 

If  this  Lord  Roger  de  la  Warre  (who  died  seized  of  Bris- 
lington, 1320,  see  Collinson,  vol.  ii,  411)  was  the  founder,  as 
is  probable,  it  will  meet  Wycester’s  statement  that  it  was 
founded  by  a Lord  de  la  Warre  (he  being  first  Baron  de  la 
W arre)  ; it  will  also  agree  with  the  date  usually  given  as  the 
date  of  the  foundation  of  the  chapel,  viz.,  the  thirteenth  cen- 
tury, as  he  died  in  1320,  an  old  man,  having  a son  forty  years 
old  ( see  Collinson,  vol.  ii,  411);  and  it  will  also  agree  with 
Dallanay’s  surmise  as  to  the  foundation  of  St.  Bartholomew’s 
Hospital  having  been  by  the  same  founder  as  St.  Anne’s,  as 
the  land  endowments  of  St.  Bartholomew’s  lay  in  Brislington 
and  Wickwarr , as  well  as  in  other  parishes  in  Gloucestershire 
and  Somerset. 

In  the  Record  Society’s  Somerset  Feet  of  Fines,  vol.  vi, 
p.  237,  there  is  an  account  of  a trial  at  Westminster,  when 
Roger  de  la  Warre,  in  1274,  claimed  the  manor  of  Brislington 
from  John,  son  of  Jordan  de  la  Warre,  when  judgment  was 
given  in  favour  of  John,  but  at  his  decease  the  said  manor 
was  “ wholly  to  revert  to  Roger.”  It  is  also  stated  at  the 
same  trial  that  the  Abbot  of  Key  ns  ham  appeared  to  put  in  his 
claim  for  an  endowment , possibly  the  Chapel  of  St.  Anne. 

The  chapel  had  evidently  become  a popular  place  of  pil- 


192 


Papers , 


grimage  before  William  Wjcester’s  time,  1414 — 1480.  In 
his  Itinerary  he  describes  its  structure  as  follows  : “ The 
Chapel  of  St.  Anne  contained  in  length  19  yards ; the  breadth 
contained  5 yards  ; there  are  19  buttresses  ( Capella  Sanctce 
Annas,  continet  in  longitudine  19  virgas ; Latitnro  ejus  continet 
5 virgas ; et  sunt  de  hater  asses  circa  capellinm  19).  See  Itin- 
erary ^ p.  408. 

He  also  describes  its  interior  as  follows  : 

“ The  chapel  contains  two  four-sided  wax  lights,  the  gift  of 
the  Weavers’  Guild  ( artes  textarium)  which  contain  in  height 
from  the  ground  to  the  arch  of  the  roof  (probably  the  tower) 
eighty  feet,  and  the  through  measurement  of  one  four-sided 
light  from  the  Guild  of  Shoemakers  ( corduanarii ) contains  in 
width  ten  inches,  and  the  breadth  eight  inches — and  the  four- 
sided wax  lights  given  by  the  Guild  of  Weavers,  contains  in 
height  to  the  roof  of  the  chapel,  eighty  feet,  width  eight 
inches,  breadth  seven  inches,  and  in  each  year  the  said  wax 
lights  are  renewed  about  the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  the  wax 
and  the  making  cost  £5  (£60  of  our  modern  currency) ; and 
there  are  in  the  chapel  thirty-two  ships  and  little  ships  ( naves 
and  navicula :9)  and  live  are  of  silver,  each  costing  twenty 
shillings,  and  before  the  image  of  St.  Anne  are  thirteen  four- 
sided wax  lights.” 

The  first  authentic  record  of  St.  Anne’s  Chapel  is,  as  has 
been  already  alluded  to,  in  a will  dated  1392  (a  copy  of  which 
is  in  the  possession  of  the  Bristol  Corporation),  when  John 
Becket,  merchant  of  Bristol,  left  a small  legacy  to  Sir  Bichard, 
chaplain  of  St.  Anne’s,  and  another  to  the  abbot  and  mon- 
astery of  Keynsham,  of  which  Sir  Bichard  was  doubtless  a 
canon,  as  two  tombstones10  were  dug  up  in  the  abbey  cemetery 

(9) .  Dallany  thinks  the  ships  were  for  burning  incense  and  receiving  and 
containing  offerings,  and  says  that  William  Wykeham  gave  one  eleemosynary 
dish,  in  the  form  of  a ship,  to  Winchester  Cathedral.  He  also  adds  that 
amongst  Cardinal  Wolsey’s  plate  there  were  some  “lytell  shippes,  ’ some 
“silver,”  and  some  “gilte,”  for  collecting  offerings  on  Christmas  Day. 

(10) .  These  tombstones  were  broken  up  some  years  ago  to  make  coping 
stones  for  a garden  wall  by  the  owner  of  the  Abbey  lands. 


St.  Anne  s Chapel , Br Islington. 


193 


some  years  ago  bearing  the  names  of  canons  of  Keynsham, 
who  were  also  chaplains  of  St.  Anne’s. 

The  inscription  on  one  of  them  runs  as  follows  : “ Here  lies 
Walter  Joie,  canon,  formerly  custos  of  the  chapel  of  St.  Anne’s 
in  the  wood,  on  whose  soul  may  The  Most  High  have  mercy.” 

(Hie  lacet  Walternus  Joie  (or  Joce)  canonicus  super  custos 
capelli  Sancti  Anni  in  the  wode,  etc.) 

The  lettering  is  said  to  be  of  the  sixteenth  century  in  which 
case  this  was  probably  the  last  chaplain  of  St.  Anne.  ( See 
Journal  of  Archaeological  Society  Paper  on  “Keynsham 
Abbey,”  by  Loftus  Brock.) 

Another  Bristol  Will,  relating  to  St.  Anne’s  chapel,  is  that 
of  Maud  Esterfeld,  wife  of  John  Esterfeld,  dated  21st  July, 
1491,  in  which,  amongst  other  behests,  she  leaves  a gold  ring 
to  the  use  of  the  chapel  of  St.  Anne’s  in  the  wood.  ( See 
Wadley’s  Bristol  Wills , p.  177). 

Amongst  the  illustrious  visitors  to  this  chapel  was  Henry 
VII,  who  first  visited  Bristol  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  after 
the  battle  of  Bosworth,  1485,  and  at  that  visit  made  a pil- 
grimage to  St.  Anne’s  Chapel. 

A manuscript  in  the  Cotonian  Library,  quoted  by  Leland 
in  his  Coll.  De  Rebus , etc .,  vol.  iv,  p.  185,  contains  this  ex- 
tract : 

“ And  on  the  morne  when  the  King  had  dyned  he  roode  on 
pilgrimage  to  Sainte  Anne’s  in  the  Woode.” 

Elizabeth  of  York,  wife  of  Henry  VII,  also  visited  the 
chapel  during  a progress  in  the  W est  of  England,  and  left  an 
offertory  of  2s.  6d. 

The  following  extract  is  given  in  her  almoner’s  account : 

“ 1502.  Itm  the  xxist  day  of  August  to  the  King’s  Aul- 
moner — For  the  queen’s  offering  to  St.  Anne  in  the 
wood  besides  Bristol  17s-  vjd-  ( See  Privy  purse  ex- 
penses, Elizabeth  of  York , p.  42). 

The  Duke  of  Buckingham,  the  builder  of  Thornbury  Castle, 
and  the  last  who  held  the  office  of  High  Constable  of  England, 


Vol.  XLI  V (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


hh 


194 


Papers , Sfc. 


made  a pilgrimage  to  St.  Anne’s  in  1508,  with  his  wife  and 
daughter,  and  the  following  entry  is  recorded  in  the  duke’s 
private  account,  now  at  the  Record  Office  : 

44 1508,  6 May.  My  lord,  my  lady’s,  and  my  young  lady’s 
oblation  to  St.  Anne  in  the  Wood  7s*.  4<*.  ” 

The  Duke  of  Buckingham  revisited  the  chapel  in  1521, 
shortly  before  being  put  to  death  as  a traitor,  and  the  entry 
appears  in  his  account  as  follows  : 

44  1521,  January.  Oblation  to  St.  Anne  in  the  Wood,  7s-  ” 

There  is  another  previous  entry  in  these  accounts  relating 
to  St.  Anne’s  Chapel,  which  is  given  as  follows  : 

44  22  June,  1508.  To  a Welsh  harper  at  St.  Anne’s,  Is-” 
(See  Brewer’s  Letters  and  Papers  of  Henry  VIlPs  Reign , 
vol.  iii,  part  1,  p.  497). 

There  is  an  interesting  reference  in  Bristol  Past  and  Present 
to  a pilgrimage  made  by  two  hundred  pilgrims  from  St.  Anne’s 
to  Compostellia,  in  Spain,  in  1448.  (See  Bristol  Past  and 
Present , vol.  ii,  126.  Quoted  from  Rymer’s  Fcedera , vol.  vi, 
P-79). 

The  historian  Leland  also  refers  to  St.  Anne’s  Chapel  in  his 
Itinerary , probably  about  the  year  1542,  when  he  relates  : 

44  A 2 miles  above  Bristow  was  a common  Trafectus  by  bote 
wher  was  a chapelle  of  St.  Anne  on  the  same  side  of  the 
Avon  that  Bath  standeth  on  and  heere  was  great  pilgrim- 
age to  St.  Anne.  (Leland’s  Itinerary , vol.  ii,  p.  57). 

But  not  long  after  the  chapel  had  become  so  famous  as  to 
attract  royalty  and  nobility,  the  tide  of  the  Reformation  had 
set  in,  and  in  1533,  Hugh  Latimer,  then  an  incumbent  of  the 
Wiltshire  parish  of  West  Kington  (then  in  the  Diocese  of 
Bath  and  Wells),  was  invited  by  some  of  the  Reformist  clergy 
to  visit  Bristol,  and  in  the  pulpits  of  St.  Nicholas  and  St. 
Thomas  he  denounced  certain  doctrines  of  the  Romish  church, 
especially  pilgrimage,  as  mischievous  and  superstitious. 

Being  prohibited  from  preaching  in  the  Diocese  of  W orces- 
ter,  in  which  diocese  Bristol  then  was,  he  defended  himself, 


St.  Anne  s Chapel , B r Islington. 


195 


one  of  his  opponents  being  Dr.  Powell,  and  in  the  following 
letter  to  the  Chancellor  of  the  Diocese  of  Worcester  he 
mentioned  St.  Anne’s  Chapel  as  being  no  less  famous  for 
pilgrimage  than  the  shrine  at  W alsingham. 

Latimer  to  Dr.  Bagard  (Chancellor  of  the  Diocese  of 
Worcester). 

“ The  reason  why  you  have  not  moved  your  parishioners  so 
instantly  to  pilgrimages  as  you  have  to  works  of  charity, 
arises,  as  I suppose,  for  lack  of  scripture  to  bear  you  out. 
Therefore,  I send  you  one  of  Dr.  Powell’s  finding,  who 
deriveth  pilgrimages  to  Master  John  Sharne,  Walsing- 
ham  St.  Anne’s  in  the  fVood,  from  the  text  in  St. 
Mathew,  xix,  29,  6 Every  one  that  foresaketli  houses,’ 
&c.  The  seven  sacraments  he  picked  out  of  Psalm  xxii 
(xxiii).  Dominus  regit  me.  Tuns  L.”11 

But  the  destruction  of  what  Latimer  deemed  an  evil  was 
even  nearer  than  he  imagined.  In  January,  1539,  the  abbot 
and  canons  of  Keynsham  surrendered  their  monastery  to  the 
king,  and  the  chapel  of  St.  Anne’s,  already  dismantled,  and 
let  on  lease  to  Robert  Stafford,  yeoman  of  Brislington  was 
sold  by  King  Edw.  YI,  in  1552,  to  Robert  Bridges,  a brother 
to  Lord  Chandos,  who,  along  with  this  chapel,  purchased  most 
of  the  abbey  property  for  a small  sum. 

The  part  of  the  conveyance  referring  to  the  chapel,  which 
is  slightly  different  from  the  lease  of  1538,  runs  as  follows  : 

“All  that  Tenement  called  Newycke  with  its  appurtenances 
situate  near  the  late  chapel  of  St.  Anne  at  Bristleton, 
and  all  houses,  gardens,  and  profits  belonging  to  the  said 
messuage  of  Newycke.  Also  all  the  chapel  of  St.  Anne 
aforesaid,  the  churchyard  where  it  was  situated,  and  all 
rents  belonging  to  the  said  messuage,  chapel  and  church- 
yard.” 

And  then  follows  the  description  of  the  rest  of  the  endowment, 

(11).  This  controversy  is  given  at  length  in  Seyer's  Memoirs  of  Bristol, 
vol.  ii,  216,  and  in  Nicholls  and  Taylor’s  Past  and  Present. 


196 


Papers , Sfc. 

viz.,  the  land  at  “ Hamcliffe  Wood  in  West  Hannam  and  at 
Warley  Wood.”  ( See  copy  of  conveyance,  Collinson,  vol.  ii. 
Keynsham  Abbey). 

It  is  impossible  to  say  how  much  of  the  chapel  had  been  de- 
molished between  the  years  1538  and  1552,  the  time  between 
which  it  was  let  on  lease  and  sold. 

Probably  it  shared  the  fate  of  other  similar  edifices,  and,  be- 
reft of  its  roof  timbers  and  stained  glass  windows,  it  was  left 
during  this  period  to  fall  into  decay. 

The  walls  had  probably  fallen  in  or  been  pulled  down  before 
1790,  as  Collinson  speaks  of  the  Chapel  at  that  date  as  being 
“ long  since  ruinated.” 

There  are  old  people  who  say  that  a portion  of  the  ruins 
were  used  as  a cart-shed  when  they  were  children,  and  that 
this  cart-shed  was  nearly  all  pulled  down,  about  the  year  1860, 
to  make  a garden  wall,  on  a farm  near  the  chapel,  called  St. 
Anne’s  Farm. 

A portion  of  this  ruined  cart-shed  was,  however,  still  standing 
in  1880,  and  possibly  forms  the  subject  of  a sketch  made  in 
that  year  by  a Roman  Catholic  clergyman,  named  Father 
Grant.  Now  almost  all  these  remains  are  gone,  there  is  little 
more  than  a grassy  mound  to  mark  the  site,  which  is  on  the 
Brislington  side  of  the  Avon,  near  the  end  of  the  lane  running 
through  St.  Anne’s  Wood,  and  opposite  Crew’s  Hole,  in  the 
parish  of  Hanham. 

The  old  well  and  ferry  are  still  in  existence,  and  there  is  a 
right  of  way  to  the  ferry  and  chapel  site  from  both  the  Somerset 
and  Gloucestershire  sides  of  the  Avon. 

The  names  “Pilgrim  Inn  ’’and  “Pilgrim  Street,”  retained 
in  the  village  of  Brislington,  still  keep  alive  the  memory  of  the 
chapel,  and  though  it  is  gone  for  ever,  yet  the  romantic  asso- 
ciations and  natural  beauty  of  the  place  remain.  Nor  can  any 
one  visit  this  still  charming  locality  so  near  a great  city  and 
yet  so  secluded  in  its  nature,  without  sympathising  with 


St.  Anne  s Chapel , Brislington. 


197 


Collinson  who,  evidently  struck  with  the  quiet  beauty  of  the 
place,  writes  in  1790  : 

“ The  place  where  the  chapel  (long  since  ruinated)  stood  is 
but  little  known,  being  in  a nook  of  the  county  opposite  Crew’s 
Hole,  in  the  parish  of  Hanham,  in  Gloucester,  by  which  it  is 
divided  by  the  Avon.  A more  retired  spot  could  hardly  be 
found.  A deep  well,12  overhung  with  aged  oaks,  alders,  and 
poplars,  bounds  its  southern  aspect ; through  it  runs  a languid 
brook,  gently  murmuring  over  a rocky  bottom  and  making 
several  waterfalls.” 


Ruins  on  the  site  of  St.  Anne’s  Chapel. 
(From  a sketch  made  by  Father  Grant,  in  1880.) 


[The  writer  of  this  paper  desires  to  express  his  thanks  to 
the  Librarian  of  the  British  Museum,  the  Rev.  F.  J. 
Poynton,  Rector  of  Kelston,  and  to  Mr.  Latimer,  of 
Bristol,  and  also  to  Mr.  James  Sinnott,  the  present 
owner  of  St.  Anne’s  Wood,  for  their  kind  assistance, 
and  wishes  to  add  that  Mr.  Latimer’s  Notes  on  St.  Anne's , 
written  about  ten  years  ago,  for  the  Bristol  and  District 
Pathway  Preservation  Society,  contain  considerable  in- 
formation on  the  subject.] 

(12).  Some  coins  were  found  in  this  well  about  ten  years  ago  by  Father 
Grant,  and  were  as  follows  : 1.  Half  groat,  Edw.  IY  ; 2.  An  abbey  token  ; 3.  A 
half  groat,  Hen.  Vil ; 4.  A Portuguese  coin  ; 5.  A reckon-penny  or  counter. 


Jl3otton  Camp. 


BY  WILLIAM  BIDGOOD. 


THIS  ancient  entrenchment  occupies  the  crest  of  a hill  of 
slight  elevation,  but  still  commanding  situation,  about 
200  yards  to  the  north  of  the  Church  of  Norton  Fitzwarren. 
The  shape  of  the  camp  is  somewhat  roughly  circular  in  form, 
corresponding  to  the  course  of  the  hill  on  which  it  is  situated. 
F rom  the  earthworks  forming  the  fortifications  there  is  a gentle 
slope  on  all  sides  to  the  valley  below.  The  entrenchments  con- 
sist of  an  inner  and  an  outer  hank,  with  a broad  ditch  between. 
The  hanks  were  originally  of  considerably  greater  height  than 
they  are  now,  and  the  ditch  was  much  deeper.  The  effect  of 
denudation  for  so  many  centuries  has  been  to  lessen  the  height 
of  the  ramparts  and  to  fill  up  the  ditch.  Sufficient,  however, 
remains  to  trace  clearly  the  course  of  the  defences  in  their 
whole  circuit.  The  enclosure  is  about  12  or  13  acres  in  area, 
and  being  of  convenient  size  for  agricultural  purposes,  the 
entrenchments  also  forming  a good  fence,  has  tended  to  the 
preservation  of  this  interesting  earthwork.  There  are  three 
main  entrances,  north,  west,  and  south-east.  That  to  the  west 
is  probably  the  best  preserved,  and  most  typical,  although  the 
main  defences  of  the  camp  for  some  distance  on  either  side  of 
it  have  been  obliterated,  and  a modern  hedge  substituted. 
This  entrance  consists  of  a hollow  way,  projecting  from  the 
camp  some  400  or  500  feet  into  the  adjoining  field,  which 
would  enable  the  defenders  to  sally  forth  unseen,  and  attack 
their  assailants  in  the  rear  : on  the  other  hand,  if  the  invaders 
got  possession  of  the  approach,  they  would  be  met  on  reaching 


The  Norton  Camp. 


199 


the  camp  by  a barrier  thrown  across  the  road,  causing  it  to 
bifurcate  into  two  narrow  passages  easily  held  by  the  defenders. 
The  entrance  on  the  north  is  prolonged  to  a much  greater 
distance,  and  terminates  in  a narrow  lane,  leading  in  the  direc- 
tion of  a place  called  44  Conquest,”  on  the  Bishop’s  Lydeard 
road.  This  camp  appears  to  be  of  purely  British  construction, 
and  although  remains  of  Roman  occupation  have  been  found 
in  the  valley  below,  there  is  nothing  to  show  that  the  camp  was 
even  occupied,  much  less  constructed,  by  them.  Whether  it 
be  of  pre-Roman  construction,  or  of  the  later  British  period,  it 
probably  played  its  most  important  part  in  history  at  the  time 
of  the  West  Saxon  conquest  of  the  valley  of  the  Tone. 

At  what  precise  date  Norton  Camp  was  captured  by  the 
West  Saxons  does  not  appear.  The  Parret  remained  the 
boundary  of  the  W elsh  for  about  a quarter  of  a century ; but 
in  a.d.  683,  the  Saxon  Chronicle  records  that  44  C entwine 
drove  the  Brito-W elsh  as  far  as  the  sea.”  This  is  interpreted 
as  the  country  west  of  the  Parret  along  the  coast  to  Quantox- 
head,  and  would  have  included  the  forts  of  Dousborough  and 
Ruborough,  with  the  ridge  of  the  Quantocks  as  the  boundary. 
Ine  succeeded  to  the  kingdom  of  the  West  Saxons  in  688,  and 
between  this  date  and  the  close  of  the  century  the  camp  at 
Norton  and  the  rich  vale  of  Taunton  Deane  would  appear  to 
have  become  English,  for  we  find  in  the  early  days  of  the  9th 
century  Ine  bestowing  lands  44  on  the  Tan  ” to  the  church  at 
Glastonbury.  This  land  would  have  been  that  represented  by 
the  parish  of  West  Monkton,  which  remained  as  one  of  the 
possessions  of  the  abbey  until  the  Dissolution.  About  the 
same  period  the  frontier  would  appear  to  have  been  extended 
southward  and  westward  to  the  river  Tone,  and  a chain  of  forts 
ranging  from  Elworthy  Barrows,  Clatworthy,  Wiveliscombe, 
Bathealton,  to  Castle  Hill  near  West  Buckland,  with  Taunton 
established  as  a bulwark  on  its  southern  bank.  There  does  not 
appear  to  have  been  any  further  fighting  westward,  but  the 
Saxon  Chronicle  records,  a.d.  709,  44  Ine  and  Nunna  his  kins- 


200 


Papers , Sfc. 


man  fought  against  Gerent,  king  of  the  Welsh.”  This  must 
have  been  a most  important  and  probably  sanguinary  conflict, 
for  it  is  seldom  that  a British  leader  is  mentioned  in  the  Saxon 
Chronicle,  but  here  it  is  the  king  himself  who  is  fighting.  The 
result  of  this  campaign  would  appear  to  have  been  the  conquest 
of  the  south-westerm  portion  of  the  county — Neroche  and  II- 
minster  district.  Castle  Neroche  would  at  that  time  have  been 
the  principal,  if  not  the  only,  fort  left  to  the  Britons  in  Somer- 
set, and  its  possession  would  have  been  hotly  contested.  A 
relic  of  this  fight  might,  perhaps,  exist  in  a barrow  on  the 
Blackdown  Hills,  situate  about  six  miles  south-west  of  Taun- 
ton, and  the  same  distance  west  of  Castle  Neroche.  On  the 
old  ordnance  map  this  barrow  will  be  found  marked  “ Noons 
Barrow.”  The  late  Mr.  Dickinson  drew  attention  to  it  in  the 
early  pages  of  Somerset  and  Dorset  Notes  and  Queries  (vol.  i, 
p.  159),  and  suggested  that  it  was  the  burial-place  of  Nun  or 
Nunna.  This  is  extremely  probable,  from  the  circumstance  of 
the  fight,  and  the  fact  that  Nunna’s  name  does  not  again  occur 
in  the  Chronicle.  Had  he  been  living,  he  would  certainly  have 
been  mentioned  in  Ine’s  subsequent  wars.  During  one  of  these 
insurrections,  which  were  constantly  occurring  among  the  Eng- 
lish, Taunton  appears  to  have  been  besieged  by  the  rebels,  for 
the  Saxon  Chronicle  records,  under  date  722,  “In  this  year 
Queen  HDthelburh  (Ine’s  Queen)  destroyed  Taunton,  which  Ine 
had  previously  built.”  The  king  himself  was  engaged  fighting 
elsewhere.  This  is  the  first  mention  of  Taunton  in  history. 
Before  Ine’s  time,  the  Saxons  had  become  converted  to  Chris- 
tianity, and  the  war  between  the  English  and  W elsh  became 
one  of  subjugation  and  government,  rather  than  of  conquest 
and  extermination.  His  great  code  of  laws  deals  alike  with 
the  English  and  Welsh. 

When  Norton  Camp  was  taken  by  the  Saxons,  the  Britons 
retired  to  the  west  and  south  of  the  Tone,  where  they  probably 
afterwards  dwelt  in  peace.  There  are  two  or  three  place- 
names  which  would  suggest  this  : Wiveliscombe  is  but  a slight 


The  Norton  Camp. 


201 


corruption  of  Waelas-combe,  pronounced  by  tbe  natives  Wuls- 
combe.  Another  place,  a little  west  of  Wellington,  on  the 
Tone,  is  marked  Wellisford  on  the  map,  but  called  Welshford 
by  the  inhabitants.  Wellington  as  Welshtown,  or  Waelas- 
town,  is  not  so  clear. 

Folk-speech  also  is  important  evidence  of  racial  boundaries. 
While  there  is  a very  marked  distinction  between  the  pronun- 
ciation east  and  west  of  the  Parret,  there  is  also  a correspond- 
ingly conspicuous  difference  between  that  east  and  west  of 
Taunton,  as  Mr.  Elworthy  has  pointed  out,*  the  pronunciation 
gradually  shading  into  the  western  dialect,  until  by  the  time 
we  reach  Wellington,  Wiveliscombe,  and  the  western  slopes  of 
the  Quantocks,  the  speech  has  become  almost  thoroughly 
Devonian  in  character.  This  would  tend  to  prove,  as  well  as 
Ine’s  “ Dooms,”  that,  after  their  conversion  to  Christianity,  the 
English  did  not  drive  the  conquered  Britons  out  of  the  country 
altogether,  but  that  they  lived  on  peaceably  and  intermarried. 
Indeed,  there  is  some  suspicion  that  Ine  himself  was  half  a 
W elshman. 

There  is  also  a noticeable  difference  in  the  physical  appear- 
ance of  the  inhabitants  westward,  a larger  proportion  of  shorter, 
thick-set  people,  with  dark  complexion  and  black  hair,  being 
observable,  and  this  distinction  increases  until  on  Exmoor  and 
in  Devonshire  it  becomes  the  rule. 

Local  traditions  and  legends  are  worth  sifting,  as  generally 
there  may  be  found  some  foundation  on  which  they  have  been 
built  up.  Thus  the  old  rhyme 

“ Norton  was  a market  town 
When  Taunton  was  a furzy  down,” 

has  some  truth  in  it,  for  Norton  Camp  is  undoubtedly  a place 
of  greater  antiquity  than  Taunton,  and  although  the  latter  was 
never  a furzy  down,  the  soil  being  more  congenial  to  the 
growth  of  alder,  withies,  sedges,  and  equisetum,  than  to  heath 

* “ Dialect  of  West  Somerset,”  p.  6. 


Vol.  XL IV  (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II. 


cc 


202 


Papers , fyc. 


or  gorse,  jet  on  the  north  side  it  was  certainly  a morass.  The 
selection  of  its  site  for  the  building  of  Ine’s  new  fortress  would 
seem  to  mark  a fresh  era  in  fortification — a system  in  which 
the  ordinary  defences  of  earthworks  and  palisades  are  strength- 
ened by  an  outer  ditch  of  water.  It  is  also  interesting  to  note 
that  the  date  of  its  foundation  is  nearly  two  hundred  years 
earlier  than  any  other  fortress  mentioned  in  the  Saxon 
chronicle. 

The  legend  of  the  Dragon  who  lived  on  Norton  Camp  and 
ravaged  the  country  round,  descending  into  the  valley,  de- 
vouring the  inhabitants  and  their  flocks,  has  some  foundation. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  the  Dragon  was  the  Standard  of 
the  West  Saxons.  Freeman  makes  frequent  mention  of  this 
in  his  History  of  the  Norman  Conquest , and  we  might  easily 
imagine  how  this  monster,  stuck  on  the  top  of  a pole  and 
planted  on  the  camp,  menacing  the  people  in  the  valley  below 
inspired  the  inhabitants  with  awe  and  superstitious  wonder. 
And  such  a hold  does  the  legend  appear  to  have  had  on  the 
people,  that  down  to  mediaeval  times  it  was  strongly  be- 
lieved in,  for  on  the  beautifully  carved  fifteenth  century 
screen  of  the  parish  church  of  Norton  Fitz warren,  it  is  de- 
picted in  the  form  of  reptiles  resembling  crocodiles,  seizing 
and  devouring  men  at  the  plough,  and  even  women  and 
children  seem  not  to  have  been  exempt  from  their  ravages.  It 
may  well  have  been,  however,  that  this  dragon  legend  was 
turned  to  account  in  the  religious  fervour  of  the  middle  ages, 
and  served  to  typify  the  evil  spirit  going  about  seeking  whom 
he  might  devour.  Even  in  our  own  day  the  inhabitants  will 
tell  you  of  the  pestiferous  reptile  that  once  upon  a time  lived 
on  the  hill,  bred  from  the  corruption  of  human  bodies,  breath- 
ing disease  and  death  around.  Similar  dragon  legends  exist 
elsewhere,  associated  with  stories  of  great  battles.  At  the 
present  time  the  Wessex  Dragon,  or  rather  the  modern  her- 
aldic representation  of  this  mythical  monster,  waves  over  the 
Society’s  Castle  of  Taunton. 


3n  OBarljJ  Chapter  of  tfje  Ibtstotp  of  Peooil.* 


BY  JOHN  BATTEN, 


EOVIL,  according  to  the  Domesday  Survey,  contained 


-L  altogether  eight  hides,  two  of  which  were  held  by 
Robert,  Earl  of  Moretain,  and  the  remaining  six  by  William 
de  On,  who  had  sublet  them  to  Hugh  Maltravers — a name 
latinized  in  the  Inq.  Gheldi  as  “ Hugo  Malus-transitus.”  He 
was  also  William  de  Ou’s  tenant  of  Hinton  Blewet,  in  Somer- 
set, and  of  the  manors  of  Mappowder,  Lidlinch,  Stourton- 
Candel,  Candel-wake,  Litchet  Maltravers  and  Woolcombe 
Maltravers  in  Dorset. 

William  de  Ou  and  William  de  Moretain  (son  and  successor 
of  Earl  Robert)  were  attainted  for  taking  part  in  the  rebellion 
against  William  Rufus  in  1088,  and  their  possessions  at 
Yeovil  and  elsewhere  were  forfeited  to  the  Crown  (Freeman’s 
Norman  Conquest  I.  33),  but  Hugh  Maltravers  was  probably 
not  disturbed  in  his  holding,  as  one  of  the  same  name,  by 
charter,  without  date,  gave  to  the  Priory  of  Montacute  his 
“land  near  Preston  ( i.e .,  Preston  Plucknet)  by  Southbroke,” 
which  gift  was  confirmed  by  John  Maltravers  of  Gyvele 
(Yeovil)  in  1262  (Montacute  Cartulary , Som.  Rec.  Soc.).  At 
a very  early  period,  a portion  of  Gyvele  had  been  conferred 
on  the  Church  and  endowed  with  special  rights  and  immunities 
as  a “ Free  Ville  or  Liberty,”  but,  in  the  early  part  of  the  reign 

* This  article  should  be  read  in  connection  with  an  address  by  the  present 
writer  at  the  meeting  of  the  Society  in  1885  (see  vol.  xxxii). 


204 


Papers,  $-c. 

of  Henry  III,  it  was  known  only  by  tradition  that  the  donor 
was  the  “ daughter  of  a certain  king  ” (see  more  on  this  head, 
Proceedings , vol.  xxxii,  p.  11). 

The  royal  endowment  (to  which  perhaps  Collinson  alludes 
in  his  History,  vol.  iii,  p.  205)  did  not  extend  to  the  advowson 
of  Gryvele,  which  remained  appendant  to  the  Maltravers  manor, 
out  of  which,  we  may  fairly  presume,  the  endowment  was 
taken,  and  the  Maltravers  family  remained  in  possession  of  it 
for  many  generations,  as  well  as  of  that  part  of  William  de 
Ou’s  six  hides,  which  afterwards  became  known  as  the  manor 
of  Henford  Maltravers,  answering  to  the  modern  tything  of 
that  name,  in  which,  indeed,  the  church  is  situated. 

As  to  the  remainder  of  the  six  hides  we  are  left  pretty 
much  to  conjecture,  but,  in  the  reign  of  King  John,  it  had 
certainly  become  a separate  manor,  known  as  the  manor  of 
Kingston  juxta  Yeovil,  and  answering  to  the  modern  tythings 
of  Wigdon  and  Huntley. 

Of  the  two  hides  held  by  the  Earl  of  Moretain,  one  of  them 
may  have  been  the  manor  of  Newton  which  was  held  by 
the  family  of  DeGrouiz,  descendants  of  Roger  Arundel,  the 
Domesday  tenant  of  many  manors  in  Somerset,  and  the  other, 
answering  to  the  manor  of  Lyde,  belonged  to  the  Fitzpayns. 

The  earliest  owner  of  Kingston  that  has  been  traced  is 
Hugh  Fitz  Hugh,  alias  Hugh  de  Say,  second  son  of  Hugh 
Fitz  Osbern,  Lord  of  Richard’s  Castle,  in  Herefordshire,  and 
Eustachia  his  wife,  who  was  daughter  and  heiress  of  Theodoric 
de  Say,  Lord  of  Stoke  Say,  in  Shropshire.  In  honour  of 
their  mother,  this  Hugh  and  his  elder  brother,  Osbert  Fitz 
Hugh,  assumed  her  paternal  name  of  de  Say,  which  was 
borne  also  by  the  descendants  of  Hugh,  who  only  left  issue. 
Richard’s  Castle  lies  in  a village  to  which  it  gives  its  name, 
about  four  miles  S.W.  of  Ludlow,  close  to  the  old  church  of 
St.  Bartholomew.  The  site,  from  its  great  eminence  and  com- 
manding position,  is  evidently  adapted  for  a fortress  of  unusual 
strength,  and  here,  Richard  Fitz  Scrob  and  his  son  Osbern, 


205 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil. 

in  the  time  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  raised,  according  to 
Freeman  the  historian,  “ the  first  castle  on  English  ground  ” 
(. Norman  Conquest , vol.  i).  According  to  him,  this  was  the 
castle  the  surrender  of  which  was  demanded  by  the  rebellious 
Earl  Godwin  in  the  year  1051.  Since  the  death  of  Mr. 
Freeman,  his  version  of  the  transaction  has  been  attacked 
by  an  able,  but  severe  critic,  who  contends  that  the  castle  was 
not  Richard’s  Castle  but  the  Castle  of  Euyas  Harold  in  the 
same  county,  and  that  Freeman  confused  Osbern,  son  of 
Richard  Fitz  Scrob,  with  another  Osbern,  whose  surname  was 
Pentecost  (Round’s  Feudal  England , p.  320).  Leaving  wiser 
men  to  decide  such  a momentous  question,  our  course  will  now 
follow  that  of  de  Say,  in  whom  the  blood  of  Fitz  Osbern  was 
absorbed. 

The  family  of  de  Say  was  of  Norman  origin.  In  the  reign 
of  Henry  I,  Jordan  de  Say  and  Lucy,  his  wife,  in  conjunction 
with  Richard  de  Humet  (the  King’s  Constable  of  Normandy) 
and  Agnes,  his  wife  (a  daughter  of  Jordan  de  Say),  founded 
the  Abbey  of  Aunay  in  the  Diocese  of  Bayeux,  and  their  son, 
Gilbert  de  Say,  contributed  to  its  endowment  (Neustria  Pia , 
759-60  ; Gallia  Christiana  XI  Instrumental  D' Anisy  Extraits 
de  Cartes  Normandes  I,  46,  p.  89  ; Stapleton’s  Normandy  I, 
lxxxv,  clxxxii.) 

In  England,  their  first  seat  appears  to  have  been  at  Clun, 
in  Shropshire,  and  Stokesay  was,  in  1115,  acquired  from 
W alter  de  Lucy  by  Picot  de  Say,  the  grand-father  of  Eustachia, 
wife  of  Hugh  Fitz  Osbern.  The  family  also  held  lands  in 
Oxfordshire,  where  Jordan  de  Say  was  excused  a debt  due  to 
the  Crown  in  1131  (Pipe  Roll , 31,  Hen.  I)  Oxon , and  it  may 
be  assumed  that  this  related  to  his  manor  of  Solethorn  (now 
Souldern),  the  church  of  which  he  bestowed  on  the  neighbour- 
ing Abbey  of  Egnesham  (Kennett’s  Parochial  Antiquities  I, 
193,  252,  500  ; Cott.  MSS.,  Claud  A 8,  p.  135). 

On  the  death  s.p.  of  his  elder  brother,  Osbert,  Hugh  de 
Say  (I)  succeeded  to  Richard’s  Castle  (which,  on  account 


206  Papers , fyc. 

of  the  number  of  knights’  fees  held  of  it,  was  styled  the 
Honour  of  Richard’s  Castle)  and  married  Lucy,  younger 
daughter  of  W alter  de  Clifford,  and  sister  of  Fair  Rosamond, 
the  celebrated  mistress  of  Henry  II  (Dugd.  Mon.  II.  49,  855), 
whose  unfortunate  life  and  miserable  end  are  well  known,  and 
— what  is  perhaps  not  so  well  known — whose  remains  were 
not  allowed  to  rest  in  the  sanctuary  of  her  tomb,  but  were,  in 
1191  (3  Ric.  I)  by  order  of  Hugh,  the  stern  Bishop  of  Lincoln, 
exhumed  and  cast  out  of  the  conventual  Church  of  Godsall. 

Hugh  de  Say  must  have  died  before  1177,  as  in  the  Pipe 
Roll  for  that  year  (23  Hen.  11 , Som.  and  Dors.)  she  paid 
seventy-five  marks  for  license  to  marry  again  and  to  enjoy 
her  dower  in  peace,  and  in  right  of  it  she  presented  Thomas 
Maltravers  to  the  Chapel  of  All  Saints,  Kingston.  There 
was  issue  of  the  marriage  according  to  the  historians  of 
Worcestershire  (Nash  I,  241),  and  Shropshire  (Eyton,  303), 
two  sons  only — Richard,  who  died  s.p.  and  Hugh  (II),  who 
succeeded  to  Richard’s  Castle.  He  married  Mabel,  daughter 
of  Robert  Marmion,  and  left  at  his  death,  before  1204,  two 
sons,  who  died  s.p.,  and  two  daughters,  Lucy  and  Margaret, 
but  Lucy  dying,  her  sister  became  sole  heiress  to  their  father’s 
great  possessions.  On  the  20th  October,  1204,  the  Sheriff  of 
Somerset  was  ordered  to  give  possession  of  the  manor  of 
“ GrifHe,”  “ quod  fuit  Luce  de  Say  able  fil  de  Hug  de  Say ,”  to 
William  Cantilupe.  This  was  probably  a grant  of  the 
wardship  of  the  infant  Margaret,  but  on  the  8th  of  November 
following,  the  same  sheriff  Avas  directed  to  deliver  the 
manor  to  Gilbert  de  Say,  and  two  years  after  to  restore 
to  Nicholas  de  Say  his  land  in  “ Giffie  ” which  Gilbert  de  Say 
held  ( Close  Rolls , 6 John).  Gilbert  was  a third  son  of 
Hugh  (I)  as  is  shewn  by  the  record  of  a trial  between  him 
and  John  Maltravers,  in  1213-14,  relating  to  the  Chapel 
of  Kingston,  when  he  proved,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
jury,  that  Lucy  de  Say,  “ his  mother,”  had  presented  the 
last  clerk  (Thomas  Maltravers)  in  right  of  her  dower  (Rot. 


207 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil. 

Cur.)  15  John,  Nos.  58-9).  In  addition  to  this,  Gilbert 
was  assessed  in  the  aid  (13  John)  for  one  knight’s  fee  in 
Gyvele  (Lib.  Rub,).  He  had  a sister,  Lucy,  married  to 
Thomas  de  Arderne,  and  in  1216  (17  John),  the  Sheriff 
of  Somerset  was  ordered  to  enquire,  by  jury,  whether  Hugh 
de  Say,  father  of  Margaret,  then  the  wife  of  Robert  de 
Mortimer,  had  given  to  Thomas  de  Arderne  the  manor  of 
Soulthorn  in  exchange  for  the  manor  of  “ Giffle,”  and  whether 
Soulthorn  was  the  inheritance  of  Hugh,  and  if  so,  the  sheriff 
was  to  give  possession  of  Soulthorn  to  Robert  and  Margaret 
( Close  Rolls).  It  is  probable  that  the  sheriff’s  return  to  the 
writ  was  in  the  negative,  as  we  find  that  the  Arderne  family 
continued  in  the  possession  of  Soulthorn,  and,  in  1255,  Ralph 
de  Arderne  held  that  manor  of  the  Barony  of  Richard’s 
Castle  (Eyton’s  Salop  II,  33,  quoting  Rot.  Hand.  II,  44). 

It  is  very  evident  that  there  were  many  complications  and 
conflicting  claims  relating  to  the  paternal  estates  inherited  by 
Margaret  de  Say — which  extended  to  those  in  Somersetshire, 
as  well  as  Shropshire  and  Worcestershire— and  Robert  de 
Mortimer,  her  husband,  was  (according  to  the  historian  of 
Shropshire  (Eyton  iv.  303)  forced  to  take  proceedings  against 
Gilbert  de  Say  and  others  in  order  to  recover  them.  He  must 
have  succeeded,  ultimately,  as  he  certified  that  he  held  no  less 
than  “ twenty-three  fees  of  the  Honour  of  Richard’s  Castle  by 
his  marriage  with  the  daughter  of  Hugh  de  Say,  heir  of 
Osbert  Fitzhugh”  {Lib.  Nig.  I,  p.  159).  Robert  de  Mortimer, 
who  was  a younger  son  of  Roger  de  Mortimer,  of  Wigmore, 
was  the  second  husband  of  Margaret  de  Say,  and  they  were 
married  before  1216  (17  John),  as  in  that  year  he  obtained  a 
grant  from  the  king  of  all  lands  in  Berewic,  Sussex,  which 
formerly  belonged  to  Mabel  de  Say,  mother  of  Margery  his 
wife  (Dugd.  Bar.  I,  152).  Her  first  husband  was  Hugh  de 
Ferriers,  and  before  1221,  she  had  married  her  third,  William 
de  Stuteville.  She  had  issue  only  by  De  Mortimer,  and  from 
them  the  Mortimers  of  Richard’s  Castle  and  their  successors 


208 


Papers , Sfc. 


in  the  female  line,  the  Talbots,  were  descended.  The  male  line 
of  the  Talbots  failed  on  the  death  of  John  Talbot,  under  age 
(12  Richard  II),  when  the  Honour  of  Richard's  Castle  fell  to 
his  three  sisters  and  co-heiresses,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Warin 
Archdeene,  Ivt. ; Philippa,  wife  of  Matthew  Gournay  and 
Alianor,  who  died  unmarried  (Nash  I,  241). 

Richard  de  Say,  brother  of  Gilbert,  appears  to  have  bought 
Kingston  juxta  Yeovil  of  Margaret  de  Say,  after  her  marriage 
with  Stuteville,  for  by  a fine  dated  in  1221,  between  William 
de  Stuteville  and  Margery  his  wife,  plaintiffs,  and  Richard  de 
Say,  defendant,  in  consideration  of  100  marks  of  silver,  they 
conveyed  to  Richard  and  his  heirs  four  camcates  [or  hides] 
of  land  in  Gyvele,  under  the  service  of  one  knight's  fee  to  be 
rendered  to  them,  and  the  heirs  of  Margery  ( Somt , Fines , 
5 Hen.  Ill,  No.  4).  Not  long  after  he  confirmed  to  the 
Canons  of  Haghmond,  Salop,  a gift  made  to  them  by  Lucy, 
his  mother  (Dugd.  Mon.  17,  46),  and  by  another  charter  made 
in  “ The  Great  Church  of  Gyvele  in  1226,  he  gave  lands  in 
Gyvele  (part  no  doubt  of  his  purchase)  to  the  Priory  of 
Montacute,  reserving  prayers  for  Lucy,  his  mother,  on  her 
‘obit,’  for  which  provision  had  been  made  by  6 Lord  Gilbert, 
his  brother,’  by  the  gift  of  two  measures  of  wheat  every  year. 
He  died  soon  after  s.p.  leaving  his  brother  Gilbert  his  heir, 
and  Lucy  de  Arderne,  his  sister,  who,  £ in  her  widowhood,'  gave 
one  furlong  of  land  in  Gyvele  to  the  same  Priory  as  £ a 
pittance,’  to  be  bestowed  every  year  on  the  anniversary  [of 
the  death]  of  Richard  de  Say,  her  brother  ” ( Montacute 
Cartulary , Nos.  35-36,  Som.  Rec.  Soc.). 

Thomas  de  Arderne,  the  husband  of  Lucy  de  Say,  may 
have  been  one  of  the  Ardernes  of  W arwickshire,  as  Dugdale, 
in  his  history  for  that  county,  mentions  one  of  that  name  who 
before  6 John  had  married  a wife  whose  Christian  name  was 
Lucy,  but  whose  paternal  name  was  unknown  to  him.  She 
was  living  he  says  1 Hen.  Ill  (1216).  In  the  pedigree  he 
gives  of  the  family,  the  names  of  Thomas  and  Ralph  frequently 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil . 209 

occur,  which,  as  we  shall  see  hereafter,  were  borne  by  the 
Yeovil  branch  (Dugd.  Hist.  Wamvickshire  If  925). 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  original  seat  of  the 
Yeovil  branch  of  the  Ardernes  was  at  Horndown,  in  Essex. 
In  1122,  Thomas  de  Arderne  and  Thomas,  his  son,  gave  to 
the  Abbey  of  Bermondsey  the  Chapel  of  St.  George,  in  South- 
wark, and  the  tithes  of  their  demesne  on  Horndon.  Ralph  de 
Arderne,  in  the  reign  of  Hen.  II,  married  Annabella,  second 
daughter  of  the  illustrious  Ralph  de  Glanville,  Chief  Justiciary 
of  England  ( Annals  of  Bermondsey  If  246),  from  whom 
descended  another  Ralph,  who  acquired  lands  in  Yeovil,  and 
died  before  1259,  in  which  year  Erneburga,  his  widow,  brought 
an  action  for  the  recovery  of  one-third  of  a messuage,  and 
twelve  acres  of  land  in  Yeovil  as  part  of  her  dower  out  of  her 
husband’s  lands  in  Essex  and  Somerset,  and  Hugh  de  Mortimer, 
son  and  heir  of  Margaret,  as  guardian  of  Thomas,  the  infant 
son  of  Ralph,  was  called  to  warrant  her  title  ( De  Banco  Boll , 
Mich.,  43-4  Hen.  Ill,  No.  15,  memb.  35d).  She  must  have 
succeeded  in  her  claim,  as  she  sold  her  life-interest  in  the 
Yeovil  lands  to  one  Richard  de  Collworth,  who  forfeited  them 
for  joining  in  the  rebellion  of  the  Barons  against  Hen.  Ill, 
and  possession  was  taken  by  the  above  Hugh  de  Mor- 
timer as  guardian  of  Thomas  ( Inq . de  Bebellihus , 49  Hen. 
Ill,  No.  113).  Putting  the  above  facts  together,  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  Thomas  de  Arderne,  who  married  Lucy  de 
Say,  was  the  father  of  Ralph,  of  Essex,  who  inherited  her 
lands  in  Yeovil,  and  left  a son,  Thomas,  to  wdiom  (subject  to 
the  dower  of  Erneburga)  they  descended  in  the  reign  of 
Hen.  III.  It  may  be  that  this  last-named  Thomas  was  the 
husband  of  Hugelina  de  Nevile,  for,  in  the  year  1294,  an 
assize  was  held  to  try  if  John  de  Wigton,  Robert  Fitzpayn, 
and  John,  the  vicar  of  Yevele,  had  disseised  her  of  a tenement 
in  Y"evele,  and  of  her  manor  of  YYvele,  and  a plea  being  put 
in  that  she  had  a husband*  living — Thomas  de  Arderne — who 
was  not  named  in  the  writ,  it  was  adjudged  that  he  ought  to 


Vol.  X LI  V (Third  Series,  Vol  IV),  Part  II. 


dd 


210 


Papers , Sfc. 


have  been  joined.  ( Ass.  Div.  Cos .,  22  Edw.  I,  N.  2.  8.-8). 

Proceeding  now  to  Gilbert  de  Say,  he  married  Matilda, 
daughter  of  Matthew  de  Clivedon,  Lord  of  Milton,  near 
Bruton,  and  Isabella,  his  wife,  who  was  a daughter  of  William 
de  Montague  of  Sutton  Montague  or  Montis,  in  this  county, 
which  event  involved  him  in  litigation  with  his  wife’s  family 
{De  Banco  Rolls , Michaelmas  term  7-8,  Hen.  Ill  ; H.  Hil 
term  10,  Hen.  III).  On  his  death  (which  must  have  occurred 
soon  after),  his  property  at  Yeovil,  including  the  lands  which 
he  inherited  from  his  brother  Richard,  descended  to  his  two 
daughters  and  co-heiresses,  Edith,  the  wife  of  Thomas  de 
Huntley,  and  Matilda,  wife  of  Thomas  de  Arderne,  son  and 
heir  of  Ralph,  » already  mentioned.  The  two  sisters  made 
partition  of  their  inheritance,  and  Edith  took  that  part 
called  “La  Marshe,”  now  the  hamlet  of  Yeovil  Marsh,  and 
Matilda  the  remainder,  which  retained  the  name  of  Kingston 
{De  Banco  Rolls , Michaelmas,  43  Edw.  Ill,  150).  In  the  early 
part  of  the  reign  of  Edward  I,  Kingston  passed,  by  sale  no  doubt, 
to  Walter  de  Wigton,  Lord  of  Wigton  in  Cumberland  (Nichol- 
son’s Cumberland  II , 190),  from  whom,  at  his  death  in  1286,  it 
descended  to  John  de  Wigton,  his  son  and  heir,  then  22  years 
of  age.  In  the  Inquisition,  p.m.  of  W alter,  it  is  described  as 
half  a knight’s  fee  of  the  Honour  of  Burford,  held  of  Lord 
Robert  de  Mortimer,  and  consisting  of  a capital  messuage, 
200a.  of  arable,  10a.  mead.,  15a.  wood,  9a.  past.,  £6  0s.  5d.  ; 
rents  of  freehold  tenants,  £5  10s.  ; rents  of  villeins  and  pleas 
of  Court  (Esch.  14  Edw.  I,  ws.  15).  Robert  de  Mortimer, 
the  superior  lord,  died  about  the  same  time,  as  by  an  inquisi- 
tion of  the  fees  belonging  to  him  the  jury  found  that  Thomas 
de  Huntley  (Edith,  his  wife,  being  probably  dead)  held  of  him 
the  manor  of  Marshe  by  half  a knight’s  fee,  and  John  de 
Wigton,  the  manor  of  Kingston  by  another  half-fee — the 
yearly  value  of  which  was  £21,  besides  the  advowson  of  a free 
chapel,  within  the  Court  of  Kingston,  worth  100s.  a year  (Esch., 
15  Edw.  I,  No.  30).  By  a fine  in  the  same  year  (14  Edw.  I), 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil.  211 

between  John  de  Lovetot  (one  of  the  Justices  itinerant  who 
was  closely  connected  with  John  de  Wigton)  pit.,  and  Thos. 
de  Arderne,  deft,  (made  in  the  presence  and  with  the  consent 
of  John  de  Wigton)  two  knights’  fees,  from  the  Manor  of 
Kingston  in  Yeovil,  with  the  appurtenances,  viz.,  the  homage 
and  service  of  John  de  Wigton  and  his  heirs  of  the  whole 
tenement  formerly  held  of  the  said  Thomas  in  Kingston  were 
limited  to  John  de  Lovetot  and  his  heirs  for  ever.  This 
transaction  appears  to  have  been  a technical  contrivance  for 
enabling  de  Arderne  to  convey  his  interest  in  the  manor,  for 
by  a fine  of  even  date  between  John  de  Wigton,  pit.,  and 
Thos.  de  Arderne,  deft.,  he  released  the  manor  of  Kingston 
to  de  Wigton,  subject  to  a yearly  rent  of  £20;  payable  to 
to  him  for  his  life  ( Somt.  Fines , 14  Edw.  I,  Nos.  90-1).  John 
de  Wigton  died  about  1315,  and  there  being  a doubt  respecting 
the  legitimacy  of  his  daughter  Margaret,  his  five  sisters  were 
at  first  found  to  be  his  heirs  (Esch.,  8 Edw.  IT,  No.  61  ; Close 
Rolls , 13  Edw.  I),  but  the  ecclesiastical  authority  having 
certified  that  she  was  legitimate,  she  succeeded  her  father  as 
his  sole  heir  (Plac.  Abbrev.,  316).1 

Before  his  death,  John  de  Wigton  sold  Kingston  to  Sir 
Robert  Fitzpayn  (the  third  of  that  name),  first  Baron  Fitz- 
payn,  who  died  about  1316  (Esch.,  9 Edw.  II,  No.  65),  leaving 
a son  and  heir,  Robert  (IV).  The  manor  was  taken  into  the 
king’s  hands  as  belonging  to  the  heirs  of  John  de  Wigton,  and 
granted  to  Thos.  de  Marlberge  during  pleasure,  the  heirs  of 
de  Wigton  denying  Fitzpayn’s  right,  alleging  that  the  sale  to 
him  was  only  for  his  life,  but  the  court  was  satisfied  from 
the  evidence  that  he  bought  the  fee  and  inheritance,  and  so 
it  was  adjudged  (Abbrev,  Rot.  orig.,  9 Edw.  II,  No.  3 ; Mem. 
Rolls , L.T.R.,  13  Edw.  II,  Rot.  8). 

The  Fitzpayns  were  a family  of  distinction,  possessing  large 

1 At  that  period  the  marriage  of  the  parents  after  the  birth  of  children 
rendered  them  legitimate,  but  the  widow  in  such  a case  was  not  entitled  to 
dower,  as  Diompia,  the  widow  of  John  de  Wigton,  made  several  unsuccessful 
attempts  to  recover  it. 


212 


Papers^  fyc. 


estates  in  the  western  counties.  Robert  Fitzpayn  (the  first 
of  that  name)  being  Lord  of  Cheddon,  near  Taunton,  in  the 
reign  of  Hen.  II.  Roger,  his  son,  held  the  manor  of  Lyde, 
in  Yeovil,  on  right  of  his  wife  Margaret,  one  of  the  three 
sisters  and  co-heiresses  of  Alured  de  Lincoln,  a descendant  of 
Roger  Arundel,  the  Domesday  tenant  of  large  possessions  in 
the  west,  one  of  which,  it  has  been  suggested,  was  Lyde,  under 
the  name  of  Eslade.  Robert  Fitzpayn  (IV)  married  Ela, 
widow  of  John  Mareschal  (Bank’s  Baronage  II , app.,  p.  9), 
and  a daughter  of  Guy,  Lord  de  Bryan  ( Complete  Peerage , by 
G.E.C.,  title  Bryan).  Having  no  son,  he  adopted  Robert  de 
Gray,  of  Codnore,  and  settled  the  bulk  of  his  estates  on  him 
and  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Guy  de  Bryan,  jun.,  in 
special  tail,  but  he  reserved  the  manor  of  Kingston  with  the 
advowson  of  the  chapel,  and,  in  1344,  settled  it  on  his  only 
child  Isabella,  wife  of  J ohn  de  Chydiok,  of  Chydiok,  Dorset  (I) 
( Somt.  Fines , 19  Edw.  Ill,  No.  35),  and  died  in  1355,  seized 
of  an  annual  rent  of  £6  7s.,  (charged  upon  certain  lands  in  a 
street  called  F ord  Street,  in  Kingston) ; a messuage  and  caru- 
cate  of  land  at  La  Lude  (Lyde);  and  the  reversion  of  another 
messuage  and  lands  at  Yeovil  Marsh,  called  Walrond’s  Marsh. 
After  the  death  of  John  and  Isabella,  they  were  succeeded  by 
three  generations  of  sons  (all  Sir  John  de  Chydiok),  but,  in 
the  time  of  the  fourth  Sir  John,  there  occurs  a break  in  the 
title  which  awaits  explanation.  Towards  the  end  of  the  reign 
of  Ric.  II,  the  manor  of  Kingston  with  the  advowson  of  the 
chapel  there,  was  in  the  possession  of  the  Earls  of  Kent. 
The  first  of  these  was  Thos.  de  Holand,  a distinguished 
knight  in  the  service  of  the  Black  Prince,  who  married  de 
Holand’s  mother — the  fair  maid  of  K*ent.”  The  Earl  died  in 
1397  (Esch.,  20  Ric.  II,  No.  30)  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 
a second  Thos.  de  Holand,  also  Earl  of  Kent,  who,  having 
joined  in  the  conspiracy  against  the  new  King,  Henry  IV,  was 
beheaded  in  1399  (Esch.,  22  Ric.  II,  No.  21).  I have  no 
means  of  ascertaining  how  they  acquired  any  interest  in  the 


213 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil. 

manor,  but  it  is  probable  that  John  de  Chydiok  (III)  had 
mortgaged  it  to  the  first  Earl,  which  led  to  usual  complica- 
tions, and  that,  after  his  death,  when  his  son  John  (IV),  who 
was  left  a minor,  had  attained  his  majority,  the  whole  matter 
was  settled  and  mutual  releases  exchanged.  This  suggestion 
is  strengthened  by  the  fact  that  a deed  is  still  extant,  by 
which  Chydiok  released  to  Alice,  Countess  of  Kent,  and 
others,  all  actions  and  claims  concerning  the  manor  of  Kingston, 
or  any  other  lands  in  the  parish  of  Yeovil  ( Close  Rolls.  3 Hen. 
IV,  No.  10). 

Turning  now  to  Edith  de  Say  and  her  husband,  Thomas  de 
Huntley,  I have  not  been  able  to  trace  his  family  any 
farther  back  than  this  Thomas,  or  to  identify  the  place  from 
which  they  derived  their  name,  but  they  were  afterwards  con- 
siderable land-owners  in  several  manors  called  Adbere,  in  the 
adjoining  parish  of  Mudford.  Parts  of  these  manors  had  be- 
longed to  the  great  estates  of  the  Mohuns,  in  Somerset,  but, 
in  1311,  Geoffrey  de  Mohun  and  Margery  his  wife,  settled 
them  by  the  description  of  a messuage,  3 carucates  of  land, 
30a.  meadow,  26a.  wood,  and  11  marcs  of  rent  in  Nether 
Attbere,  Over  Attebere  and  Homere,  on  themselves  for  life, 
remainder  to  the  heirs  of  his  body  ; remainder  to  Nicholas, 
his  brother,  in  tail ; remainder  to  David,  son  of  Thomas  de 
Huntley,  in  tail ; remainder  to  brother  of  David,  in  tail ; re- 
mainder to  the  right  heirs  of  Geoffry  ( Somt.  Fines,  4 Edw. 
II,  No.  34).  David  de  Huntley  must  have  succeeded  to  these 
lands  as  (20  Edw.  3)  he  was  assessed  20s.  for  half-a-fee  in 
Little  Adbere,  formerly  Geoffry  de  Mohun’s.  He  died 
s.p.  and,  consequently,  by  the  terms  of  the  settlement, 
his  brother,  Thomas,  succeeded  to  the  estate,  which  de- 
volved on  J ohn,  his  son,  and  then  on  Margaret  de  Huntley, 
his  daughter.  Ultimately,  the  manor  of  Nether  Adbere  was 
settled  on  Richard  Huntley  and  Alianor,  his  wife,  and  the 
heirs  of  his  body  ; remainder  to  John,  son  of  William  Carent, 
in  tail  ; remainder  to  William  Carent,  senior,  in  tail;  re- 


214 


Papers^  Sfc. 

mainder  to  the  right  heirs  of  Richard  Huntley  ( Somt . 
Fines , 12  Ric.  II,  No.  1).  In  this  way,  I suppose,  Adhere 
fell  to  the  Carents,  who  were  evidently  related  to  the 
Huntleys.  There  was  another  branch  of  that  family  resident 
at  Shiplade,  in  the  parish  of  Bleadon,  in  this  county,  and 
another  migrated  to  Milborn  St.  Andrew,  Dorset. 

Returning  from  this  digression,  Thomas  de  Huntley,  the 
husband  of  Edith  de  Say,  was  also  involved,  with  Brian 
Grouiz  and  other  leading  men,  in  the  Rebellion  of  the  Barons 
against  Hen.  Ill,  and,  after  their  defeat,  was  punished  by  the 
forfeiture  of  his  lands,  and,  according  to  the  Inquisition  de 
Rebellibus , the  bailiff  of  Lord  Hugh  de  Mortimer,  the  over 
lord,  had  seized  one  carucate  of  land  on  the  ville  of  Givele, 
worth  10s.  a year,  besides  rents  of  assize  of  £6  a year  in  the 
same  ville,  and  also  a virgate  and-half  of  land  there,  and  16s. 
a year  rent  of  assize  held  of  Huntley  by  one  Richard  de  Peto, 
“ another  rebel.”  The  forfeiture  was,  however,  compounded 
for,  in  Kirby’s  Quest  (12  Edw.  I).  Walter  de  Wigton  and 
Thos.  de  Huntley  are  said  to  hold  Kingston,  East  Marsh,  and 
West  Marsh  (into  which  “ La  Marsh*”  had  been  sub-divided) 
of  Robert  de  Mortimer,  by  knight  service,  and,  in  1307, 
among  the  knights’  fees  held  of  the  king  in  capite  by  Matilda, 
widow  of  Hugh  de  Mortimer  at  her  death,  was  the  manor  of 
Mersshe  held  by  John  de  Huntley  by  half  a knight’s  fee,  and 
the  manor  of  Kingston  juxta  Yevele,  held  by  Robert  Fitz- 
payn  by  another  half  fee  (Esch.,  1 Edw.  II,  No.  59).  This 
John  de  Huntley,  son  of  Thomas  and  Edith,  conveyed  the 
moiety  of  the  Say  estate  to  Walter  de  Tryl,  of  Todbere, 
Dorset,  who,  in  1324,  settled  Marsh  (with  lands  derived  from 
another  source  now  unknown)  by  the  description  of  13 
messuages,  8 acres  and  6J  virgates  of  land,  23 \ acres  of  mead., 
11  acres  of  past.,  16  acres  wood,  108s.  rent,  and  rent  of  1 lb. 
of  pepper,  2 lbs.  of  cumin,  and  one  rose,  with  the  appurtenance 
in  West  Marsh,  Kingston  juxta  Yevele,  and  Ivingeswoode 
juxta  Hardington,  and  also  a moiety  of  the  advowson  of  the 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil.  215 

chapel  of  Kingston,  on  himself  and  his  wife,  Ela,  for  their 
lives;  remainder  to  William  de  Carent  and  Johanna,  his 
wife,  and  the  heirs  of  their  bodies ; remainder  to  Nicholas, 
son  of  Michael  de  Stoure,  in  fee  to  be  held  of  the  King  in 
Chief  (So?nt.  Fines , 17  Edw.  IT,  No.  45).  The  above  in- 
dicates the  first  connection  of  the  De  Carent  family  with 
Yeovil.  Joanna,  the  wife  of  William  de  Carent,  w.as  probably 
a daughter  of  Waiter  de  Tryl.  Her  husband  died  in  1347, 
possessed  of  one  moiety  of  the  manors  of  Kingston  and  Marsh, 
leaving  an  infant  son,  another  William  de  Carent  ( Inq . 
p.m.,  Esch.,  22  Edw.  Ill,  No.  27).  In  my  opinion,  Matilda, 
the  wife  of  John  de  Huntley,  was  another  sister  of  De  Tryl. 
She  held,  at  her  death,  lands  in  the  ville  of  Marsh  in  right  of 
her  dower,  and  also  lands  there  by  grant  of  W alter  de 
Romesey  ; the  reversion  (her  Inquisition  states)  belonging  to 
William,  son  of  William  de  Carent,  who  was  heir  as  well  of 
Walter  de  Tryl,  as  of  Matilda  (Esch.,  21  Edw.  1 1 T , No.  22). 
From  this  it  may  be  inferred  that  Walter  de  Tryl  had  two 
sisters — Matilda,  wife  of  John  de  Huntly,  and  .loan,  wife  of 
William  de  Carent — that  neither  Walter  or  his  sister,  Matilda, 
left  any  issue,  and  that,  therefore,  William  de  Carent,  son  of 
the  other  sister,  Joan,  was  heir  both  of  his  uncle  and  his  aunt. 

W est  Marsh  was  at  one  time  held  by  the  family  of  F alconer, 
or  Le  Fauconer,  who  became  possessed  of  it  in  the  reign  of 
Edw.  I,  for  in  the  Inquisition  of  knights’  fee  in  1 302  (31  Edw.  I ) 
Robert  Fitzpayn  and  John  Fauconer  (instead  of  Walter  de 
Wigton  and  Thomas  de  Huntley,  in  Kirby’s  Quest)  are  said 
to  hold  the  manors  of  Kingston,  East  Marsh,  and  West 
Marsh,  of  Hugh  de  Mortimer,  by  the  service  of  one  fee.  By 
disposition,  or  misfortune,  Falconer  was  frequently  at  law  with 
his  neighbours  (see  Ass.  Rolls  Die.  Cos .,  27  Edw.  I,  Nos. 
2-11).  He  had  a wife,  Joan,  and  died  in  1342,  holding  of 
John  Daunay  (Lord  of  Hinton,  in  Mudford)  a messuage  and 
lands  at  Hulle  in  Marsh  [now  called  Marsh  Hill]  with  two 
moors  called  Brooms  Moor  and  Dichelfords  Moor  [now  Disle- 


216 


Papers , 8fc. 


moor],  and  he  left  John  le  Falconer  (II),  his  son,  then  25  years 
old  (Esch,  15  Edw.  VI,  No.  27). 

John  le  Falconer  (II):  resided  at  West  Marsh,  and  is 
so  described  in  a charter,  dated  there  in  1354  (27  Edw. 
Ill),  whereby  he  granted  to  John  Gogh  and  John  Say 
certain  lands  in  Kingsdon,  near  Ivelchester,  of  which  he  had 
been  enfeoffed  by  Nicholas  Gouys.  The  witnesses  to  this 
charter  were  W m.  D’aumarle,  W m.  D’umfraville,  and  W alter 
de  Eomesey,  knights  ; and  Wm.  de  Bingham  and  Wm.  de 
W elde ; and  to  it  was  attached  his  seal — two  bendlets  between 
three  falcons,  with  the  legend,  “ Sigill  . . . . Fauconer  ” 

(Pole’s  Collections,  Queen’s  Coll.,  Oxford,  MS.  No.  151,  f.  47). 
There  are  notices  on  the  records  of  legal  proceedings  between 
the  Huntleys,  the  Carents,  and  the  Falconers,  respecting  their 
property  at  Marsh  and  Kingston,  which  it  would  be  unprofit- 
able to  explain  in  detail,  but  it  is  important  to  repeat  what 
Collinson  cites  from  the  Close  Rolls , that  (30  Edw.  Ill)  John 
le  Falconer  released  to  William,  son  and  heir  of  Wm.  de 
Carent,  then  under  age  and  in  ward  to  the  king,  all  his 
right  to  the  manors  of  Kingston  and  Hunteley’s  Marsh 
{Rot.  Claus .,  30  Edw.  Ill,  cited  by  Collinson  III,  207).  This 
document  confirmed  to  the  de  Carents  their  title  to  Marsh 
and  the  part  of  Kingston  which  did  not  belong  to  the 
Chydioks,  and  was  substantially  the  property  which  after- 
wards passed  from  the  de  Carents  to  the  Comptons,  and  subse- 
quently to  their  relatives,  the  Harbins.  This  transaction  with 
Carent  did  not,  however,  denude  le  Falconer  of  all  his  lands 
in  Yeovil.  In  1376,  he  had  to  resist  an  unfounded  claim  set 
up  by  Alice,  the  widow  of  Wm.  Welde,  to  lands  of  his  in 
Kingston  and  West  Marsh.  It  appears  that  le  Falconer, 
when  only  19  years  old,  agreed  to  grant  a lease  of  the  lands  to 
Welde  and  his  wife  for  their  lives.  After  he  came  of  age 
he  went  beyond  seas  for  several  years— during  which  time 
Welde  died — and,  on  his  return,  the  widow  had  the  audacity 
to  repudiate  the  lease  and  claim  the  lands  as  her  freehold, 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil.  217 

but,  of  course,  she  was  defeated  (Ass.  Bolls,  Div.  Cos.,  40-9 
Edw.  III). 

Le  Falconer  (II)  married  Matilda,  daughter  and  heiress  of 
J ohn  de  Warmwell,  of  W arm  well,  Dorset  (Hutch.  Dors.  I,  428), 
and  we  may  attribute  the  marriage  to  the  fact  that  a branch 
of  the  de  Warmwell  family  was  seated  at  Newton  Salmon- 
ville,  in  Yeovil.  I have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  the  date  of 
his  death,  but,  by  that  event,  if  not  by  previous  settlement,  his 
daughter  and  heiress,  Alice,  the  wife  of  Nicholas  Coker, 
must  have  acquired  considerable  property  in  Yeovil  and  the 
neighbourhood  as,  12  Hen.  IV  (1411),  she  and  her  husband 
sold  a farm  in  Yevell  and  Kingston  to  Sir  John  Chy- 
diok,  lord  of  Kingston  (Somt.  Fines),  and  as  late  as  1445 
(23  Hen.  VI),  after  her  husband’s  death,  she  conveyed  in 
Kingston  and  Marsh  to  her  cousin,  Thos.  Lyte  of  Lytes’  Cary 
( The  Lytes  of  Lytes  Cary,  p.  25).  Nicholas  Coker  himself 
was  the  purchaser  of  the  manor  of  Chilthorne  Domer,  which, 
by  fine,  9 Hen.  IV,  was  conveyed,  subject  to  a life  interest  in 
Edmund  Dummer,  to  Nicholas  Coker  and  Alice  his  wife, 
and  the  heirs  of  Nicholas  Coker. 

The  manor  of  West  Marsh  was,  in  the  reign  of  Edw.  II, 
held  by  John  de  Preston  (Nomina  Villarum,  9 Edw.  II),  who 
was  a considerable  land-owner  in  the  adjoining  parish  of 
Preston  Plucknet.  In  1363,  the  manor  was  held  by  Thomas 
de  Preston  for  his  life,  and  by  a fine  levied  in  that  year 
(37  Edw.  Ill)  between  Henry  le  Walshe,  plaintiff,  and  Master 
Robert  de  Stratforde,  defendant,  the  reversion  then  vested  in 
de  Stratford  was  settled  upon  Henry  le  W alshe  for  his  life  ; 
remainder  to  John  his  son,  and  Isabel  his  wife,  and  the  heirs 
of  their  bodies  ; remainder  to  his  brothers,  Henry  and  Percival, 
successively  in  tail ; remainder  to  the  right  heirs  of  the  said 
John.  He  resided  at  East  Marsh,  and  purchased  from  the 
Crown  the  wardship  of  William,  the  infant  son  of  Wm.  de 
Carent,  and  Joan,  his  wife;  but,  going  on  a pilgrimage  to  the 
Holy  Land  he  died  on  the  journey,  leaving  his  wife,  Isabel, 

Vol.  XLI V (Third  Series , Vol.  IV),  Part  II.  ee 


218 


Papers , 8fc. 


surviving,  but  we  hear  no  mention  of  him  or  West  Marsh 
afterwards,  and  it  was  probably  absorbed  into  the  de  Carent 
Estate  ( Exchequer , L.  $*  R.,  Memoranda  Rolls , Hil.,  27  Edw. 
Ill,  No.  12).  I should  observe  that  it  was  from  de  Chydiok, 
and  not  from  de  Carent  as  Collinson  states,  that  Kingston 
came  to  the  Stourtons. 

There  was  yet  another  part  of  La  Marsh,  called  Walerands 
or  Walrond’s  Marsh.  As  early  as  1340,  John  Walerand, 
which  held  under  John  de  Wigton,  died,  leaving  an  infant  son, 
John,  and  his  wife,  Matilda,  surviving,  and  she  was  obliged  to 
take  legal  steps  for  the  recovery  of  her  dower  out  of  it  (Ass. 
Rolls  Div.  Cos .,  3 Edw.  II,  N.  2.  15-1).  The  widow  probably 
married  again — -Dowre,  as  (28  Edw.  Ill)  Robert  Fitzpayn 
held,  at  his  death,  the  reversion  of  one  messuage,  and  one 
carucate  of  land  in  W alronde’s  Marshe,  which  Matilda  Dowre 
held  for  her  life  by  grant  of  J ohn  W alrond,  which  reversion  be- 
longed to  John  Chydiok,  and  Isabella,  his  wife  (Esch.,  No.  41). 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  manor  of  Henford 
as  part  of  the  Domesday  six  hides  held  by  Hugh  Maltravers 
under  William  de  Ou.  Collinson,  in  his  History  (iii,  p.  205) 
gives  a fairly  accurate  pedigree  of  the  Maltravers  family,  so 
far  as  relates  to  their  ownership  of  Henford,  but  a much  more 
elaborate  and  annotated  pedigree  is  to  be  found  in  another 
work  of  good  authority  (Coll.  Top.  and  Gen.,  vol.  vi,  p.  334), 
verified  by  charters  and  documents  drawn  principally  from 
the  archives  of  the  Earl  of  Ilchester. 

Beginning  from  the  reign  of  King  John,  no  less  than  six 
generations  of  the  family  were  successively  owners  of  part  of 
Gyvele,  and  Lords  of  Henford.  In  1201  (2  John)  an  action 
was  pending  between  John  Maltravers  (II),  son  of  John 
Maltravers  (the  first  of  that  name),  and  Walter  de  Turber- 
ville,  and  Alice  his  wife  (widow  of  John  the  father),  re- 
specting lands  at  Woolcombe  (now  Woolcombe  Maltravers), 
Dorset,  and,  for  the  purposes  of  this  action  it  is  presumed, 
John  (II)  sued  the  Turbervilles  for  the  delivery  up  of  five 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil.  219 

charters  relating  to  his  inheritance,  all  of  which  Walter 
Turberville  admitted  he  had  held,  but  alleged  that  they 
were  stolen  when  his  house  was  burnt  down.  Maltravers 
also  complained  that  the  Turbervilles  unjustly  detained  from 
him  five  coats  of  mail  which  had  belonged  to  his  father,  and 
their  defence  was  that  the  father  never  had  but  one  coat,  which 
he  gave  to  another  son  with  ten  librates  (z.e.,  about  500  acres) 
of  land,  but,  unfortunately,  we  do  not  know  the  result,  as,  by 
default  of  the  parties,  the  Court  was  not  called  on  to  deliver 
judgment  (P.R.O.  Curia  Regis.,  No.  24,  Selden  Society 
Publications , vol.  iii).  The  burning  of  these  charters  (if  true) 
must  have  been  a serious  loss  ; two  of  them  were  grants  by 
Henry  I,  thereby  carrying  the  family  title  back  to  about  one 
generation  from  Hugh,  the  Domesday  sub-tenant ; a third  was 
a charter  of  Mareschal,  Earl  Striguil,  and  may  have  been  the 
grant  of  the  Constableship  of  Striguil  or  Chepstow  Castle, 
which  was  an  office  held  by  the  family  (Esch.,  25  Edw.  I, 
no.  33).  The  fifth  was  a charter  of  King  John.  As  regards  the 
coats  of  mail,  in  the  early  days  of  chivalry  coat  armour  was 
hereditary,  and  descended  to  the  heirs  with  the  land,  for  the 
defence  of  which  it  was  used,  especially  as  a dire  alternative 
in  “ wager  of  battel.” 

The  litigation,  between  John  Maltravers  and  Lucy  de  Say 
(II),  respecting  the  right  of  presentation  to  the  Chapel  of 
Kingston  has  already  been  noticed,  but,  a few  years  later,  he 
was  engaged  in  a very  remarkable  trial,  the  incidents  of  which 
are  fortunately  very  rare  in  legal  annals.  He  held,  it  appears, 
a knight’s  fee  in  Gryvele,  by  virtue  of  a fine  made  between 
Walter  Maltravers,  his  eldest  brother  (who,  it  is  presumed, 
had  afterwards  died  s.p.)  and  John  Maltravers  (I),  their 
father  ; but  William  Maltravers,  another  brother,  sought  to 
ignore  the  fine  as  void,  being  purported  to  be  made,  not  in  the 
King’s  Court  (Richard  I),  but  in  the  Court  of  John,  Earl  of 
Mortain  (afterwards  King  John).  On  this  ground,  and  also 
as  entitled  to  the  fee  under  a distinct  grant,  he  proceeded  by 


220 


Papers,  Sfc. 


a writ  of  right  against  John  and  recovered  judgment.  Pending 
this,  John  died,  and  then  Hawisia  his  widow,  in  1222  (6  Hen. 
Ill)  sued  William  for  one-third  as  her  dower,  to  which 
William  pleads  that  the  knight’s  fee  was  given  to  him  bj  his 
father,  John  (I),  by  charter,  which  he  produces,  and  calls  to 
warranty  John  (III),  son  of  John  (II),  who  declines.  Then 
William  pleads  the  judgment  on  the  writ  of  right,  whereupon 
the  Sheriff  was  ordered  to  return  a record  of  the  judgment. 
The  Sheriff,  Roger  de  horde,  was  “valettus”  and  probably 
nominee  of  Peter  de  Mauley,  his  lord,  who  had  been  sheriff 
for  the  six  preceding  years,  and  according  to  his  return  (which, 
we  may  presume,  he  very  reluctantly  made)  the  county — that  is 
the  freeholders  or  suitors  of  the  County  Court— wholly  disavow 
the  judgment,  because,  after  John  had  appeared  and  set  out 
his  claim  to  the  fee  under  the  fine,  and  William’s  rejoinder 
that  it  was  of  no  effect  not  being  made  in  the  King’s  Court, 
the  Sheriff  tried  to  prevail  on  the  county  to  give  judgment  in 
William’s  favour,  which  they  declined  to  do,  and  all  went 
away  except  two  or  three  who  remained  until  nearly  “the 
vesper  hour,”  and  were  assured,  by  the  Sheriff,  that  they 
might  safely  give  judgment  in  William’s  favour,  and  that  he 
would  indemnify  them.  On  hearing  this  J ohn  prayed  for  recog- 
nition on  the  writ  of  right,  whether  he  or  William  was  entitled 
to  the  land,  but  the  Sheriff*  objected  that  he  must  rely  on  the 
fine  he  had  set  up,  after  hearing  which  the  Sheriff  and  the  two 
or  three  who  remained  with  him  gave  judgment  in  William’s 
favour  66  without  the  assent  and  will  of  the  county,”  and  that 
“ in  no  other  way  did  William  get  judgment,  as  the  county 
offer  to  prove  as  the  Court  shall  consider”  (Assize  Boll,  No. 
755  : Bracton’s  Note  Book , case  191).  So  much  for  medieval 
administration  of  justice  ! 

Proceeding  now  to  the  reign  of  Edw.  I,  the  manor  can  be 
regularly  traced  from  that  time.  We  come  first  to  John 
Maltravers  (III),  son  of  John  and  Hawisia,  who  held  the  high 
office  of  Seneschal  of  the  King’s  Household,  and  died  in  1296, 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil.  221 

seised  of  the  manor  of  Henford,  to  which  the  advowson  of 
Yeovil  was  appendant,  and  left  his  son  and  successor,  John  Mal- 
travers  (IV),  aged  30  (Esch.,  25  Edw.  I,  No.  33).  This  John 
married  first  Alianor,  who,  not  improbably,  was  a daughter 
of  Sir  Ralph  de  Gorges,  of  Wraxall,  Somerset  (Smith’s  Lives 
of  the  Berkeleys  /,  241),  his  first  wife,  however,  and’  married 
for  his  second,  Joan,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Sir  Walter 
Folio t,  of  Melbury,  and  grand-daughter  of  Sir  Lawrence 
Sampford,  by  which  match  he  acquired  an  interest  in  the 
manors  of  Melbury  Sampford  and  Melbury  Osmond.  The 
date  of  his  death  has  not  been  ascertained,  but  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  son  by  his  first  wife,  John  Maltravers  (V), 
afterwards  Lord  Maltravers,  whose  name  is,  unfortunately, 
associated  with  that  of  Sir  Thomas  Gournay,  as  the  contrivers 
of  the  revolting  murder  of  King  Edward  II  at  Berkeley 
Castle.  He  died  in  1365,  surviving,  by  several  years,  his  son 
John,  the  sixth  and  last  of  the  name,  who  died  in  1350.  As 
John  (VI)  left  no  son,  Henford  descended  to  his  two 
daughters,  Joan  and  Alianor.  Joan  died  s.p.  and,  conse- 
quently, Alianor  became  sole  heiress  ; she  was  married  to 
John  Fitz  Alan,  younger  brother  of  Richard  Fitz  Alan,  14th 
Earl  of  Arundel,  by  whom  she  had  a son,  John  de  Arundel, 
who,  in  right  of  his  mother,  became  Lord  Maltravers.  The 
manor  of  Henford  continued  in  the  Arundel  family  until  the 
reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  when  Henry,  22nd  Earl,  exchanged 
it  with  the  queen  for  the  manors  of  Halfnaked  and  Boxgrave, 
in  Sussex  (Pat.  Rolls , 3 Eliz,  4th  part). 

The  Crown  retained  Henford  in  its  hands  until  the  end  of 
the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  when,  the  Royal  revenues  requiring 
replenishment  (as  was  not  uncommon  in  the  Tudor  dynasty), 
it  was  sold  to  Sir  John  Spencer,  a city  knight  of  fabulous 
wealth  ( Pat . Rolf  42  Eliz.,  pt.  24),  and  after  his  death  passed 
to  his  daughter  and  heiress,  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  William, 
2nd  Lord  Compton,  created,  15  James  I,  Earl  of  Northampton, 


222 


Papers , 8fc, 


in  whose  family  it  continued  until  sold  to  the  Hooper  family, 
as  mentioned  by  Collinson. 

But  the  advowson  of  the  church  devolved  in  a different 
course.  By  a fine  levied,  i3  Edw.  Ill,  between  John  Maltravers, 
senior  (Y),  Querent,  and  Roger  Maltravers,  and  Thomas  de 
Homere,  Deforciants,  to  the  manors  of  Henford,  Somerset,  and 
Lytchett,  Dorset,  the  uses  whereof,  so  far  as  regards  the 
manor,  were  thereby  limited  to  said  John  Maltravers  for  life, 
with  remainder  to  his  son,  John  Maltravers  (VI)  in  tail,  male 
with  remainder  to  his  (the  sons)  right  heirs.  The  limitations  of 
this  fine  did  not  extend  to  the  advowson  of  the  church  of  Yeovil, 
and,  therefore,  it  remained  in  the  trustees  undisposed  of.  But, 
five  years  afterwards,  in  1345  (18  Edw.  Ill),  by  a charter  dated 
at  Witchampton,  Wednesday  after  the  Feast  of  the  Annuncia- 
tion, to  which  Robert  Fitzpayn,  Richard  Turberville,  Robert 
Marty n,  Reginald  Fitzherbert,  Robert  Champayn,  knights;  and 
John  Wake,  Nicholas  Pyke,  John  Smedmore,  and  Henry  An- 
tiocke  were  witnesses,  the  trustees,  Roger  Maltravers  and  John 
de  Homere,  granted  to  Lord  John  Maltravers  (V),  lord  of 
Lytchett,  one  messuage  in  Hyneford,  and  the  advowson  of  the 
church  of  Ye  veil  in  fee,  and  he,  by  a subsequent  charter, 
dated  before  36  Edw.  Ill,  conveyed  it  to  Richard  Fitz  Alan, 
Earl  of  Arundel  ,(Exch.  Q.R.  Miscell.  911 — 31).  The  earl 
was  the  brother  of  John  Fitz  Alan,  husband  of  Alianor, 
daughter  of  John  Maltravers  (VI),  upon  whom  and  her 
husband  the  manor  of  Henford  and  a rent  of  57s.  issuing 
therefrom,  had  been  settled  by  her  grandfather,  John  Lord 
Maltravers  (Y),  by  a fine  dated  33  Edw,  III.  Richard,  14th 
Earl  of  Arundel,  was  of  Royal  descent,  his  mother  being 
Eleanor  Plantagenet,  daughter  of  Henry,  Earl  of  Lancaster, 
but  he  was  beheaded  in  1397.  He  had,  on  two  occasions, 
exercised  his  right  of  patronage  over  the  church,  and  by  his 
will,  dated  4th  March,  1392,  he  directed  the  advowson  to  be 
sold.  The  words  of  the  bequest  are,  “ Item  je  vuille  que  1’ 
avowesoun  de  Yvele  soit  venduz  auxi  tost  come  home  purra 


An  Early  Chapter  of  the  History  of  Yeovil.  223 

apres  mon  deces  resonablement  et  les  deniers  d’icell  loialment 
emploiez  par  mes  ditz  executours  en  meilloure  mannere  q’ils 
saveront  en  parfonrrissement  du  testament  et  voluntee  mon 
seigneur  et  piere  qi  Dieux  assoile,”  with  directions  for  pre- 
senting a fit  clerk,  from  time  to  time,  to  hold  the  church  until 
a sale  could  be  effected  (Nichols’  Collection  of  Noble  Wills , 
p.  137).  In  pursuance  of  this  bequest,  the  advowson  was  sold 
to  King  Henry  V,  who  purchased  it  in  order  to  increase  the 
endowment  of  his  recently  founded  Monastery  of  Sion,  and  by 
charter,  dated  at  Arundel,  13th  July,  3 Henry  Y,  (1315), 
Thomas,  15th  Earl,  son  of  the  Testator,  conveyed  two  acres 
of  land  in  Yevill,  in  a certain  place  called  Huish,  together 
with  the  advowson  of  the  church  of  Yevill  to  his  Majesty,  his 
heirs  and  assigns  (Exch.  Q.R.  Miscell.,  ut  sup.). 


SOMERSETSHIRE 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL  AND  NATURAL  HISTORY 

SOCIETY. 


©fficers,  Members  anti  Eule0,  1898. 


Patron : 

THE  RIGHT  HONOURABLE  THE  EARL  OF  CORK  & ORRERY,  K.P. 


President : 

E.  J.  STANLEY,  Esq.,  M.P. 


Ytce;presttents*: 


THE  RIGHT  REV.  THE  LORD  BISHOP  OF  BATH  AND  WELLS. 
JOHN  BATTEN,  Esq.,  f.s.a.  SIR  GEO.  WM.  EDWARDS. 

C.  I.  ELTON,  Esq.,  q.o.,  f.s.a.  SIR  E.  H.  ELTON,  Bart. 

THE  RIGHT  REV.  BISHOP  HOBHOUSE. 

H.  HOBHOUSE,  Esq.,  m.p.  COLONEL  HOSKYNS. 

THE  RIGHT  HON.  THE  LORD  HYLTON. 

GEORGE  FOWNES  LUTTRELL,  Esq. 

THE  RIGHT.  HON.  SIR  RICHARD  H.  PAGET,  Bart. 

THE  RIGHT  HON.  THE  VISCOUNT  PORTMAN. 

W.  A.  SANFORD,  Esq. 

HENRY  DUNCAN  SKRINE,  Esq. 

SIR  EDWARD  STRACIIEY,  Bart.  E.  B.  CELY  TREVILIAN,  Esq. 
THE  VERY  REV.  THE  DEAN  OF  WELLS. 


trustees : 


Henry  Jeffries  Badcock,  Esq. 

John  Batten,  Esq. 

James  Forbes  Chisholm-Batten,  Esq. 
Lieut. -Col.  James  Roger  Bramble. 
Charles  I.  Elton,  Esq.,  q.c. 

A.  J.  Goodford,  Esq. 


Henry  Hobhouse,  Esq.,  m.p. 

Sir  A.  A.  Hood,  Bart.,  m.p. 
George  Fownes  Luttrell,  Esq. 
William  Ayshford  Sanford,  Esq. 
Edward  J.  Stanley,  Esq.,  m.p. 
The  Rt.  Hon.  The  Earl  Temple. 


treasurer : 

HENRY  JEFFRIES  BADCOCK,  Esq. 


ffiienetal  Secretaries: 

LIEUT. -COL.  J.  R.  BRAMBLE,  f.s.a.  REV.  F.  W.  WEAVER,  M.A. 


225 


Officers . 

district  or  ILocal  Secretaries: 


Rev.  Preb.  Buller,  North  Curry 
E.  E.  Baker,  f.s.a.,  Weston-super- 
Mare 

Rev.  E.  H.  Bates,  Ilminster 

John  Batten,  f.s.a.,  Yeovil 

J.  G.  L.  Bulleid,  Glastonbury 

J.  O.  Cash,  W incanton 

Rev.  Canon  Church,  f.s.a.,  Wells 

Rev.  Preb.  Coleman,  Cheddar 

Rev.  J.  J.  Coleman,  Holcombe 

G.  A.  Daniel,  Frome 

C.  W.  Dare,  North  Curry 

Wm.  Daubeny,  Bath 

Sir  E.  H.  Elton,  Bart.,  Clevedon 

C.  H.  Fox,  Wellington 

Rev.  Preb.  Gale,  Yatton 

Wm.  George,  Bristol 

Rev.  Preb.  Grafton,  Castle  Cary 

Rev.  Preb.  Hancock,  Dunster 

Rev.  D.  LI.  Hayward,  Bruton 


Rev.  Preb.  Herringham,  Williton 
and  Old  Cleeve 
Rev.  S.  H.  A.  Hervey 
Rev.  Preb.  T.  S.  Holmes,  Wookey 
Rev.  Preb.  W.  Hook,  Porlock 
Rev.  W.  Hunt 
W.  M.  Kelly,  m.d. 

F.  Mitchell,  Chard 

Hugh  Norris,  South  Petherton 

Rev.  E.  Peacock,  Nunney 

Edwin  Sloper,  London 

Rev.  Gilbert  E.  Smith,  Somerton 

Geo.  Sweetman,  Wincanton 

Charles  Tite. 

Rev.H.  G.  Tomkins,  Weston-s.-Mare 
Rev.  F.  W.  Weaver,  Milton  Cleve- 
don , Evercreech 

Rev.  W .P.  Williams,  Weston-super- 
Mare 

W.  L.  Winterbotham,  Bridgwater 


Committee : 


Rev.  D.  P.  Alford 
Rev.  Preb.  Buller 
C.  H.  Samson 
Rev.  A.  H.  A.  Smith 
J.  E.  W.  Wakefield 
Rev.  J.  Worthington 


Rev.  Preb.  Ask  with 
Major  Chisholm-Batten 
F.  T.  Elworthy 
A.  Maynard 
Rev.  D.  J.  Pring 
Rev.  F.  S.  P.  Seale 


The  President,  Vice-Presidents , Trustees , Treasurer , General  and  Local 
Secretaries , are  ex-officio  Members  of  the  Committee. 


Assist.  Sec.  Sc  Curator: 
William  Bidgood,  Taunton  Castle. 


Vol.  XLI V (Third  Series , Vol.  I V),  Part  II. 


f 


226 


Honorary  ana  Corresponding  Members. 


®ru0tcc0  of  tlje  Ptgott  Collection  of  2Dratotng;0, 
Corner  m. 

The  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  County. 

The  Lord  Bishop  of  the  Diocese. 

The  Members  of  Parliament  for  the  County. 

The  Chairman  of  Quarter  Sessions. 

The  Clerk  of  the  Peace  for  the  County. 


Ecprcsmtattbe  'trustee  on  t&e  arbrtUijc  Coton  Crust 

Col.  William  Long. 


Eeprescntatibe  Crustre  on  tlje  3!lc&c3tec  Coton  Crust. 

A.  J.  Goodford,  Esq. 


i^onorarp  anti  Corre^pontimg;  ^embers. 

Acland,  Sir  H.  W.,  m.d,,  Regius  Professor  of  Medicine , Oxford. 

Babington,  C.  C.,  Esq.,  f.r.s.,  f.s.a.,  Professor  of  Botany , 5,  Brook- 
side,  Cambridge. 

Burrows,  Montague,  Esq.,  m.a.,  Chichele  Professor  of  Modern  His- 
tory in  the  University  of  Oxford , and  Captain , R.N. 

Dawkins,  W.  Boyd,  Esq.,  f.r.s.,  f.s.a.,  f.g.s.,  etc.,  Professor  of 
Geology , Owens  College , Manchester , Woodhurst,  Fallowfield, 
Manchester. 

Earle,  Bev.  Preb.  J.,  m.a.,  Oriel,  Professor  of  Anglo-Saxon , Oxford , 
Swainswick  Rectory,  Bath. 

Lloyd,  Dr.,  Sec.  Archaeological  and  Natural  History  Society , 
Warwick. 

Stubbs,  Right  Rev.  Dr.,  Bishop  of  Oxford. 

Wilson,  Daniel,  Esq.,  ll.d.,  Professor  of  English  Language , 
Toronto,  Canada. 


Societies  in  CotresponDence,  for  tbe  <ZErcbanp 
of  Publications. 

Royal  Archaeological  Institute  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 
British  Association. 

British  Museum. 

British  Museum  (Natural  History). 

British  Archfeological  Association. 

Society  of  Antiquaries  of  London. 

Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Scotland. 

Royal  Irish  Academy. 

Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Ireland. 

Guildhall  Library,  London. 

Associated  Architectural  Societies  of  Northampton,  etc. 
Sussex  Archfeological  Society. 

Suffolk  Institute  of  Archaeology  and  Natural  History. 

Surrey  Archaeological  Society. 

Lancashire  and  Cheshire  Historic  Society. 

Wiltshire  Archaeological  and  Natural  History  Society. 
London  and  Middlesex  Archfeological  Society. 

Plymouth  Institution  and  Devon  and  Cornwall  Natural  His- 
tory Society. 

Kent  Archaeological  Society. 

Bristol  and  Gloucestershire  Archaeological  Society. 

Powys  Land  Club,  Montgomeryshire. 

Derbyshire  Archaeological  and  Natural  History  Society. 
Shropshire  Archaeological  aDd  Natural  History  Society. 
Berkshire  Archaeological  and  Architectural  Society. 
Hertfordshire  Natural  History  Society. 

Essex  Archaeological  Society. 

Norfolk  and  Norwich  Archaeological  Society. 

Leicestershire  Architectural  and  Archaeological  Society. 
Royal  Institution  of  Cornwall. 

Yorkshire  Archaeological  Society. 


228 


Corresponding  Societies. 


Buckingham  Architectural  and  Archaeological  Society. 
Northamptonshire  Naturalists’  Society. 

Bath  Natural  History  and  Antiquarian  Field  Club. 
Geologists’  Association. 

Boyal  Dublin  Society. 

Bristol  Naturalists’  Society. 

Liverpool  Literary  and  Philosophical  Society. 

Manchester  Literary  and  Philosophical  Society. 

Barrow  Naturalists’  Field  Club. 

Essex  Field  Club. 

Society  of  Antiquaries  of  N e wcastle-on-T y ne. 

Cambridge  Antiquarian  Society. 

Chester  Archaeological  and  Historical  Society. 

Clifton  Antiquarian  Club. 

Hampshire  Field  Club. 

Thoresby  Society,  Leeds. 

Folk-Lore  Society. 

Postal  Microscopic  Society. 

The  Beliquary  and  Illustrated  Archaeologist. 

Boyal  Norwegian  University,  Christiana. 

Geological  Institution  of  the  University  of  Upsala,  Sweden. 
Canadian  Institute. 

Nova  Scotian  Institute. 

Smithsonian  Institution,  Washington,  U.S. 

Bureau  of  American  Ethnology,  Washington,  U.S. 

United  States  Geological  Survey,  Washington,  U.S. 

Essex  Institute,  Salem,  Massachusetts,  U.S. 

New  England  Historic  Genealogical  Society,  Boston,  U.S. 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  Davenport,  Iowa,  U.S. 

Old  Colony  Historical  Society,  Taunton,  Mass.,  U.S. 
Geological  Department  of  the  University  of  California,  U.S. 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  Philadelphia,  U.S. 

University  of  California,  U.S. 

Societie  Vaudoise  des  Sciences  Naturelles,  Lausanne. 

Societe  Archeologique  de  Bordeaux. 


List  of  members  for  1898. 


Those  marked  * are  Life  Members. 

Those  marked  f are  Members  of  the  General  Committee. 

Acland  Sir  C.  T.  D.  Bart.,  Holnicote , Taunton. 
fAcland,  Rt.  Hon.  Sir  T.  D.,  Bart.,  Killcrton  Park , Devon , 
y.p.  (deceased). 

Adams,  W.  Taunton 

Adlam,  William,  f.s.a.  Manor  House , Chew  Magna , Bristol 
5 Aldridge,  Rev.  Preb.  W.  W.  Weston-super-Mare 
Aldworth,  Major  Robert,  West  Coker 
Alford,  Rev.  D.  P.  Elm  Grove , Taunton 
Alford.  H.  Taunton  (deceased) 

Alford,  H.  J.,  m.d.  Taunton. 

10  Allen,  F.  J.  m.d.  Professor  of  Physiology , Mason  College , 
Birmingham 

Allen,  Miss,  The  Avenue , Taunton 
Allhusen,  Wilton,  Pinhay , Lyme  Regis 
Altham,  Mrs.  Timber  combe.  Aisholt , Bridgwater 
Anderson,  Rev.  C.  G.  Otterhampton , Bridgwater  (deceased) 
15  Arnold,  Rev.  W.  Burrowbridge , Bridgwater. 

Ashworth-Hallet,  Mrs.  L.  S.  Claverton  Lodge , Bathwick 
Hill , Bath 

Askwith,  Rev.  Preb.  Taunton 
Atkins,  J.  M. 

Austen,  Rev.  E.  G.  Penselwood,  Bath 
20  Aveline.  H.  T.  S.  Cotford,  Norton  Fitzwarren , Taunton. 
Aveline,  Wm.  Talbot,  15,  Kennington  Terrace , Kennington 
Park , London , iS'.A’. 

Badcock,  Daniel,  Kilve  Court , Bridgwater 
f Badcock.  H.  J.  Pitminster , Taunton , Trustee,  Treasurer 
Bagehot,  Mrs.  Walter,  Herd’s  Hill , I^angport 
25  Bailey,  Rev.  J.  D.  T hornfalcon. 

Bailward,  T.  H.  M.  Manor  House , Horsington 
fBaker,  E.  E.,  f.s.a.  Weston-super-Mare 
Baker,  W.  Proctor,  Sandhill  Park , Taunton 
Baker,  Rev.  S.  O.  Campbell  House , Clevedon. 

30  Baker,  W.  T.  Bridgwater 

Baldwin,  Rev.  A.  B.  Middle  Chinnock  Rectory , Ilminster 
Barker,  E.  Y.  P.  Glastonbury  (deceased) 


230 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


Barnard,  Miss  Constance  E.  The  IAberty , Wells 
Barnicott,  Reginald,  Taunton 
35  Barnstaple  Athenaeum,  North  Devon 
Barrett,  *1  onathan,  Taunton 
Barrett,  Major,  Moredon  House , North  Curry 
Barstow,  J.  Jackson,  The  Lodge , Weston-super-Mare 
Bartlett,  Rev.  R.  Grosvenor,  Corfe  Castle , Wareham , Dorset 
40  Bartrum,  J.  S.  13,  Gay  Street , Bath 

fBates,  Rev.  E.  H.  Puckington  Rectory , Ilminster 
Bathurst,  A.  2,  New  Square , Lincoln  s Inn , London 
Batten,  Henry  B.  Aldon , Yeovil 

Batten  H.  Cary  Gr.  Leigh  T^odge,  Abbots  Leigh , Bristol 
45  Batten,  John  Beardmore  „ „ „ 

Batten,  H.  Phelips,  Hollands , Yeovil 
fBatten,  John,  f.s.a.,  Aldon , Yeovil , Trustee,  v.p. 

Batten,  Lieut.-Col.  J.  Mount,  Mornington  I^odge,  West 
Kensington , 

Beames,  J.  Netherclay , Taunton 
50  Beavan,  Miss,  Taunton 

Beck,  Rev.  W.  J.  Sutton  Montis , Sparkford. 

*Beddoe,  J.,  m.d.,  f.r.s.  The  Chantry , Bradford -on- Avon 
Bell,  J.  H.  Dalton  Lees , Huddersfield 
Bell,  Rev.  W.  A.  Charlynch,  Bridgwater 
55  Bennett,  Edgar,  Hendford , Yeovil. 

Bennett,  Mrs.  2,  Bradmore  Road , Oxford. 

Bennett,  T.  O.  Bruton 
Bentley,  F.  J.  R.,  Woodlands , Wellington 
Bere,  Charles,  Milverton 
60  Berkeley,  Rev.  Gr.  W.,  Butleigh 
Bernard,  Rev.  Canon,  Wells 

Bicknell,  A.  S.  23,  Onslow  Gardens , South  Kensington 
Birkbeck,  Rev.  W.  J.  Weston-super-Mare 
Bisdee,  Alfred,  Hutton  Court , Weston-super-Mare 
65  Blake,  W.  Bridge , South  Petherton 
Blakiston,  A.  A.  Glastonbury 

Blathwayt,  Lieut.-Col.  Linley,  Eagle  House , Batheaston 
Blathwayt,  Rev.  W ynter  E.  Dyrham , Chippenham 
Blathwayt,  Rev.  W.  T.  „ „ 

70  Bond,  Rev.  R.  S.  Thorne , Yeovil 

Boodle,  R.  W.  20,  Belgrave  Road , Edgbaston , Birmingham 
Booker,  Wm.  Thomas,  Wellington 
Boston  Public  Library,  Boston , Z7.N.  America 
Bothamley,  Yen.  Archdeacon,  Richmond  I^odge,  Bath 
75  Bothamley,  C.  H.  Otterwood,  Beaconsfield  Road , Weston- 
super-Mare 


i 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


231 


Bourdillon,  E.  D.  Dinder  House , Wells 
Bouverie,  H.  H.  P.  Brymore  House , Bridgicatcr 
Bownes,  Bev.  James,  Creech  St.  Michael 
Boys,  Bev.  H.  A.  North  Cadbury  Rectory , Bath 
80  Braikenridge,  W.  Jerdone,  Clevedon , and  16,  Royal  Crescent , 
Bath 

f Bramble,  Lieut.-Col.,  f.s.a.  Seafield , Weston-super-Mare 
Trustee,  General  Secretary 
Broadmead,  W.  B.  Enmore  Castle 
Broderip,  Edmund,  Cossington  Manor , Bridgwater 
Brown,  David,  7,  Wellington  Terrace , Taunton 
85  Brown,  F.  W.  Chardleigh  Green , Chard 

Brown,  G.  Gordon,  5,  Greenhay  Road , Liverpool 
Brown,  John,  Wadeford , Chard 
Brown,  T.  Loader,  Chardleigh  Green , Chard 
Brown,  W.  H.  M.  Sherborne 

90  Brownlow,  Bt.  Bev.  Bishop,  Bishop's  House , /WA  Place , 
Clifton , Bristol 

Brutton,  J.  7,  Princes  Street , Yeovil 

Buckle,  Edmund,  23,  Bedford  Row , London , 7F.  C. 

Buckle,  Bev.  Canon,  Wells 
Bull,  Bev.  Thos.  Williamson,  Paulton 
95  Bulleid,  Arthur,  f.s.a.,  Glastonbury 
jBulleid,  J.  G.  L.  Glastonbury 
Bulleid,  G.  L.  Glastonbury 
jBuller,  Bev.  Preb.  W.  E.  North  Curry 
Bunny,  J.  Brice,  Bishop's  Lydeard 
100  Burridge,  W.  The  Willows , Wellington 

Bush,  John,  9,  Pembroke  Road , Clifton , Bristol 
Bush,  B.  C.  1,  Winifred's  Dale , 

Bush,  Bev.  T.  C.  Hornblotton  Rectory , Castle  Cary , 

Bush,  Thos.  S.  Dale  Cottage , Charlcombe , 

105  Butler,  W.  B.  Taunton 

Buttanshaw,  Bev.  Preb.  J.  22,  *S7.  James'  Square , 

Caillard,  His  Honour  Judge,  Wingfield  House , Trowbridge 
Capel,  J.  P.  Weston-super-Mare 

Carlingford,  The  Bt.  Hon.  The  Lord,  k.p.  Priory , 
Chewton  Mendip , (deceased) 

110  Cartwright,  Bev.  A.  B.  Clevedon 

Cartwright,  Bev.  H.  A.  W hit e staunton 
fCash,  J.  O.  Wincanton 

Cayley,  Bev.  B.  A.  Stowell  Rectory , Sherborne 
Chaff ey-Chaffey,  Bobert, 

115  Chaffey,  Bichard,  Chard 

Chafyn-Grove,  G.  Troyte,  Coker  House , Yeovil 


232 


List  of  Members  for  1898 . 


Chapman,  Arthur  Allan,  Taunton 
Cheetham,  F.  H.  Tetton , Kingston , Taunton 
t Chisholm-Batten,  Major  J.  F.  Thorn falcon,  Taunton , 
Trustee 

120tChurch,  Rev.  Canon,  f.s.a.  Sub-Dean,  Wells 
Clark,  Frank  J.  Street 
Clark,  W.  S.  Street 
Clarke,  A.  A.  Wells 
Clarke,  C.  P.  Taunton 
125  Clemow,  C.  E.  Canon  House , Taunton 
Clerk,  E.  H.  Burford,  Shepton  Mallet 
Clive,  J.  Ronald,  Combe  Florey 
Clothier,  S.  T.  Street 

t Coleman,  Rev.  Preb.  James,  2,  Vicar  s Close,  Wells 
ISOfColeman,  Rev.  J.  J.  Holcombe  Rectory , Bath 
Coles,  Rev.  V.  S.  S.  Shepton  Beauchamp 
Colfox,  Wm.  West-mead. , near  Bridport 
Collins,  Rev.  J.  A.  W.  Newton  St.  Cyres , Exeter 
Colthurst,  Gr.  E.  Northfield , Taunton 
135  Cooper,  Rev.  Sydney,  Christ  Church , Frame 

fCork  and  Orrery,'  The  Rt.  Hon.  The  Earl  of,  k.p. 
Marston , Frame , Patron 
Corner,  H.  Taunton 

Corner,  Samuel,  95,  Forest  Road  West , Nottingham 
Corner,  Edward,  The  Bower , Wellington 
140  Cornish,  Rev.  Charles  E.  Redcliff  Vicarage,  Bristol 
Cornish,  R.  Cedar  House , Axminster,  Devon 
Cotching,  W.  O.  Taunton 
Cottam,  A.  Basil,  Bridgwater 
Cox,  H.  Williton 

145  Crawley-Boevey,  Rev.  R.  L.  Doynton  Rectory,  Bristol 
Crespi,  A.  J.  H.,  M.D.  Cooma , Road,  Wimborne 

Cutler,  Jonathan,  Richmond  House,  Wellington 
Dampier-Ride,  Thos.  Wm.  Kingston  Manor , Yeovil 
Daniel,  Rev.  H.  A.  Manor  House,  Stockland  Bristol, 
Bridgwater 

150  Daniel,  Rev.  Prebendary  W.  E.  Horsington  Rectory, 
Templecombe 

fDaniel,  G.  A.  Niamey  Court,  Frame 
fDare,  Chas.  Wm.  Fosse,  North  Curry 
Daubeny,  W.  A.  Clevelands,  near  Dawlish 
fDaubeny,  W.  Stratton  House,  Park  Lane,  Bath 
155  Davies,  Hitchings,  Somerton 

Davies,  J.  Trevor,  New  land  House,  Sherborne 
Davis,  Major  C.  E.  55,  Pulteney  Street,  Bath 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


233 


Davis,  Mrs.  The  Warren , North  Curry 
Day,  H.  C.  A.  Oriel  Lodge , Walton , Bristol. 

160  Dela  Hey,  Rev.  E.  Oldridge,  Bathealton 
Denham,  George,  Taunton 
Denman,  Thos.  Isaac,  Yeovil 
Derham,  Henry,  Sneyd  Park , Clifton , Bristol 
Derham,  Walter,  76,  Lancaster  Gate , London , F7. 

165  Dickinson,  R.  E.  Bath 

Dobree,  S.,  The  Briars , Ealing , TF. 

Dobson,  Mrs.  Oakwood , Bathwick  Hill , Bath 
Doggett,  H.  Greenfield,  Springhill , L.eighwood , Clifton 
Dowell,  Rev.  A.  G. 

170  Drayson,  C.  D.  Courtlands , Taunton 
Drayton,  W.  Mountlands , Taunton 
Duckworth,  Rev.  W.  A.  Orchardleigh  Park , Frome 
b Duder,  John,  Tregedna , The  Avenue , Taunton 

Dudman,  Miss  Catherine  L.  Pitney  House , Langport 
175  Dunn,  William,  Frome 

Dupuis,  Rev.  Preb.  T.  C.  Burnham 
Dyke,  C.  P.  Totteridge , Herts 
Dymond,  Rev.  H.  N.  Chaffcombe , Chard 
Dyson,  Jno.  Moorlands , Crewkerne 
180  Eastlake,  C.  Locke,  Ac?**?  Sutton  House , Langport 
Easton,  Richard,  Taunton 

Eberle,  J.  F.  Ebor  Villa , 96,  Pembroke  Road , Clifton 
Eden,  Mrs,  The  Grange , Kingston , Taunton 
Edwards,  Rev.  A.  G.  Norton-sub-Hamdon , Ilminster 
185|Edwards,  Sir  Geo.  Wm.  Walls , Sneyd  Park , Stoke 

Bishop , Bristol , v.P. 

jElton,  C.  I.,  Q.C.,  f.s.a.  Manor  House , Whitestaunton , 
Trustee,  v.P. 

Elton,  Rev.  George  G.  Kingweston , Somerton 
f Elton,  Sir  E.  H.  Bart.  Clevedon  Court , v.P. 

Elton,  W.  Heathfield  Hall , Taunton 
190fElworthy,  F.  T.  Foxdown , Wellington 

Ernst,  Mrs.  Westcombe  House , Evercreech , Bath 
Esdaile,  C.  E.  J.  Cothelstone 

Esdaile,  Geo.  O/J  Rectory , Platt-in-Rusholme , 

Manchester 

Esdaile,  Rev.  W.  Sandford  Orcas , Sherborne 
195  Evans,  Sir  J.,  k.c.b.,  f.r.s.  Was/i  Mills,  Hemel  Hempstead 
Evans,  W.  H.  Ford  Abbey , Chard 
Ewing,  Mrs.  Taunton 
Fisher,  Samuel,  Hovelands , Taunton 
Fisher,  W.  H.  Elmhurst , North-town , Taunton 


HO 


Vol.  XLIV  (Third  Series,  Vol  IV),  Part  II. 


234 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


200  Fitz-Gerald,  Major,  J.P.  Walton , Clcvedon 
Fligg,  Win.  M.B.  Weston-super-Mare 
Foley,  R.  Y.  Elmwood , Bridgwater 
Foster,  E.  A.  South  Hill , Kings  her  swell,  Devon 
Foster,  F.  C.  Bridgwater 
205  Foster,  Major,  Bloomfield  House , Bath 
Fowler,  Rev.  C.  A.  Walt  on-in-  Gordano 
Fowler,  Wm.  H.  Claremont , Taunton 
Fowler,  Gerald  „ „ 

fFox,  C.  H.  Wellington 

210  Fox,  F.  F.  Yate  House , Chipping  Sodburg 
Fox,  Rev.  J.  C.  Templecombe 
Fox,  Sylvanus,  Linden , Wellington 
Foxcroft,  E.  T.  D.  Hinton  Charterhouse , Bath 
Franklin,  H.  Taunton 

215  Frome  Literary  Institute  « 

Fry,  The  Rt.  Hon.  Sir  Edwd.,  r.c.,  f.s.a..  late  Lord 
Justice  of  Appeal,  Failand  House , I^ong  Ashton , Bristol 
Fry,  E.  A.  172,  Edmund  Street , Birmingham 
Fry,  Mrs.  „ „ 

Fry,  Francis  J.  Cricket  St.  Thomas , Chard 
2 20 1 Gale,  Rev.  I.  S.  Cleeve , Yatton 

Galpin,  Wm.  Horwood , Wincanton 
George,  Frank,  Corner , Street , Bristol 

George,  Rev.  Philip  Edward,  Winifred  House , RnR* 
f George,  Wm.  *S7.  Wulfstan  s,  Durdham  Park , Bristol , 
225*Gibbs,  Antony,  Tyntesfield , Wraxall , Nails ea,  R.S.O. 

* Gibbs,  Henry  Martin,  Barrow  Court , Barrow  Gurney , 
Bristol 

Gibson,  Rev.  Prebendary,  The  Vicarage , Leeds 
Gifford,  J.  Wm.  Oaklands , Chard 

Giles,  A.  H.'  Churchill  Court , Churchill , R.S.O. , Somerset 
230  Giles,  W.  J.  10,  Sydney  Terrace , Taunton 
Gillett,  A.  Street 
Good,  Thos.  Bridgwater 

fGoodford,  A.  J.  Chilton  Cantelo , llchester , Trustee 
Goodland,  Charles,  Taunton 
235  Goodland,  Thos,  Taunton  1 

Goodman,  Albert,  The  Avenue , Taunton 
Goodman,  Edwin,  Yarde  House , Taunton 
Gough,  Wm.  Langport 

f Grafton,  Rev.  Prebendary  A.  W.  Castle  Cary 
240  Grant,  Lady,  Logie  Elphinstonc , Pitcaple , Aberdeenshire 
Grant,  Rev.  C.  Glastonbury 
Grant,  Capt.  ZV*c  Chantry , Frome 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


235 


Green,  E.,  f.s.a.  Devonshire  Club , St.  James'1  Street , 
London , & 7F, 

Gres  well,  Rev.  W.  H.  P.  Dodington 
245  Grey,  Geo.  Duncan,  LL.D.  Bella  Vista , Weston-super- 
Mare 

Gurney,  Rev.  H.  F.  S.  Stoke  St.  Gregory 

Haddon,  Chas.  Taunton 

Hadwen,  Walter  R.,  m.d.  Gloucester 

Hall,  Henry,  19,  Doughty  Street , Mecklenhurgh  Square , 
London 

250  Hall,  Rev.  H.  F.  T^easbrook , Dixton , Monmouth 
Hall,  J.  F.,  Shar combe , Hinder , Wells 
Hamlet,  Rev.  J.  Barrington 
Handing,  J.  G.  The  Close , Newport , Barnstaple 
Hammet,  W.  J.  >S7.  Bernard* s,  Taunton 
255  Hammett,  A.  Taunton 

t Hancock,  Rev.  Preb.  F.,  f.s.a.  Priory , D mister 

Harford,  Wm.  H.,  Old  Bank , Bristol 
Harford,  Rev.  Prebendary,  Marston  Bigot , Frome 
Harrod,  H.  H.  Manor  House,  Morebath , Tiverton 
260  Harvey,  John,  Junr.  Denmark  Street , Clifton 

Hatcher,  Robert,  Melville  House , Middle  Street , Taunton 
*Hawkesbury,  The  Rt.  Hon.  Lord,  2,  Carlton  House  Ter- 
race, Pall  Mall , London , $.  fF. 
fHayward,  Rev.  Douglas  LI.  Bruton 
Heale,  Rev.  C.  H.  *SY.  Decuman  s,  Wat chet , Bridgivater 
265  Healey,  C.  E.  H.  Chadwyck,  Q.c.  119,  Harley  Street , AF 
and  New  Place , Porlock 
Heathcote,  Rev.  S.  J.  Williton 

Hellier,  Rev.  H.  G.  Nempnctt  Rectory , Chew  Stoke , Bristol 
Hellier,  Mrs.  „ „ „ „ 

Helyar,  Colonel,  Poundisjord  Lodge , Taunton 
270  Henley,  Colonel,  C.  H.  House , Chard 

fHerringham,  Rev.  Preb.  W.  W.  Old  Cleeve 
fHervey,  Rev.  S.  H.  A. 

Hewlett,  Mrs.  Preans  Green , Worle , Weston-super-Mare 
Hickes,  Rev.  T.  H.  F.  Dray  cot 
275  Higgins,  John,  Pylle , Shepton  Mallet 
Hill,  B.  H. 

Hill,  Chas.  Clevedon  Hall , Clevedon 

Hill,  Sir  Edward,  k.C.b.,  m.p.,  Rookwood , LJandajf \ and 
Hazel  Manor , Compton  Martin , Bristol 
Hill,  W.  J.  C.  Langport 
280  Hippisley,  W.  J.,  15,  iVezr  Street , JF<?//.s 
tHobhouse,  The  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop,  TF?/Z.s 


236  List  of  Members  for  1898. 

fHobhouse,  H.,  m.p.  Hadspen  House , Castle  Cary , Trustee, 
v.p. 

Hobhouse,  Rt.  Hon.  Lord,  k.C.S.i.  15,  Bruton  Street , 
London , W. 

Hodgkinson,  W.  S.  Glencot , TFeZ/s 
285  Holland,  W.  T.  The  Lions , Bridgwater 
Holloway,  J.  H.  Erstfield,  Wells 
f Holmes,  Rev.  Preb.  T.  S.  Wookey , Wells 
Honnywill,  Rev.  J.  E.  W.  Leigh-on- Mendip,  Coleford , 
Bath 

tHood,  Sir  Alexander  Acland,  Bart,  m.p.,  St.  Audries, 
290  Bridgwater , Trustee 

fHook,  Rev.  Preb.  W.  Porlock 
Horne,  Rev.  Ethelbert,  Downside  Monastery , ifoZA 
Horner,  J.  F.  Fortescue,  Mells 
Hoskins,  Ed.  J.  76,  Jermyn  Street,  London^  W. 

Hoskyns,  H.  W.  North  Perrot  Manor , Crewkerne 
295tHoskyns,  Col.  South  Petherton , y.p. 

Houston,  H.  S.  Lindenfels , Frome 
Hudd,  A.  E.,  f.s.a.  94,  Pembroke  Road , Clifton 
Hughes,  Rev.  F.  L.  T^ydeard  St.  L^awrence 
Humphreys,  A.  L.  187,  Piccadilly , London , 7F. 

300| Hunt,  Rev.  W.  24,  Phillimore  Gardens , Campden  Hill , 
Kensington , JF. 

Hunt,  Wm.  Alfred,  Yeovil 
Husbands,  H.  Wessen,  North  Town  House , Taunton 
Hutchings,  H.  Sandford  Orcas , Sherborne  (deceased) 
f Hylton,  The  Rt.  Hon.  the  Lord,  Ammerdown  Park , Rad- 
stock,  Bath,  x.t. 

305  Hyson,  Rev.  J.  B.  Yeovilton,  Ilchester 
Impey,  Miss  E.  C.  Street 
Inman,  H.  B.  Pine  House,  Batheaston,  Bath 
Inman,  T.  F.  Kilkenny  House,  Bath 
Isgar,  R.  HcZ/a’ 

310  Jacobs,  M.  Taunton 

James,  W.  H.  Weston-super-Mare 
Jane,  Wm.  Congresbury 

Jefferies,  C.  S.  Sanforth , Higjidale  Road,  Clevedon 
Jennings,  A.  R.  Taunton 

315  Jex-Blake,  The  Very  Rev.  T.  W.,  Dean  of  Wells,  f.s.a. 
The  Deanery,  Wells,  V.P. 

Jex-Blake,  Arthur  John,  Magdalen  College,  Oxford 
Johnson,  Admiral,  Haines  Hill,  Taunton 
Johnston,  Joseph  Nicholson,  Hesketh  House,  Yeovil 
Jones,  J.  E.  Northwood,  Rickmansworth 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


237 


320  Jose,  Rev.  S.  P.  Churchill 
Jose,  Mrs.  Churchill 

Joseph,  H.  W.  B.  Woodlands  House , Holford , Bridg water 
f Kelly,  W.  M.,  m.d.  Ferring , Worthing , Sussex 
Kelway,  Wm.  Langport 

325fKennion,  Rt.  Rev.  G.  W.,  Lord  Bishop  of  Bath  and 
Wells,  The  Palace , Wells , v.P. 

Kettle  well,  Wm.  Harptree  Court , East  Harptree 
King,  Austin  Joseph,  13,  Queen  Square , Bath 
King,  R.  Moss,  Ashcott  Hill , Bridgwater 
Kinglake,  J.  H.,  m.d.  Taunton  (deceased) 

330  Kinglake,  Rev.  F.  C.  West  Monkton 
Kite,  G.  H.  Taunton 

Knight,  F.  A.  Wintrath , Winscombe , Weston-super-Mare 
Knight,  R.  Wellington 
Lance,  Chas.  E.  Stoke  Court , Taunton 
335  Lance,  Rev.  W.  H.  Buckland  St.  Mary , Chard 
Langdon,  Rev.  F.  E.  W.  Parrocks  L^odge,  Chard 
Langdon,  Mrs.  Parrocks  I^odge,  Chard 
Lawrence,  Samuel,  Forde  House , Taunton 
Lawson,  Geo.  36,  Craven  Hill  Gardens , London 
340  Leigh,  Henry,  3,  Plowden  Buildings , Temple , London 

Leir,  Rev.  L.  Randolph  M.  Charlton  Musgrove , Wincanton 
Leng,  W.  L.  14,  Church  Street , Bridgwater 
Lethbridge,  Sir  Wroth  A.,  Bart.  Sandhill  Park , Bishop's 
Lydeard 

Lewis,  Archibald  M.  3,  Upper  Byron  Place , Clifton 
345  Lewis,  Josiah,  Taunton 
Lewis,  Murray,  Taunton 
Lewis,  William,  12,  North  Gate  Street , 

Liddon,  Edward,  m.d.  Taunton 
Liddon,  Rev.  Henry  John,  Taunton 
350  Livett,  H.  W.,  m.d. 

Lock,  John,  Taunton 

Lock,  William,  Lewis  House , Staplegrove , Taunton 
Long,  Col.  Congresbury , Bristol 
Louch,  J.  Langport 

355  Loveday,  J.  G.  Weirfield , Taunton 
Loveday,  Mrs.  „ „ 

Lovibond,  G.  The  Friars , Bridgwater 
Lovibond,  Mrs.  Grange , Langport 

Ludlow,  Walter,  Alcombe , Dunster 
360f  Luttrell,  G.  F.  Dunster  Castle , v.P. 

Lyte,  Sir  Henry  Maxwell,  k.c.b.,  f.s.a.  3,  Portman 
Square , London , /F. 


238 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


Macdermott,  Miss,  20,  The  Crescent , Taunton 
Macdonald,  J.  A.,  m.d.  Taunton 
Macmillan,  W.  Castle  Cary 
365  Macmillan,  A.  S.  The  Avenue , Yeovil 
Maggs,  F.  R.  Princes  Street , Yeovil 
Major,  Charles,  Wemhdon , Bridgwater 
Malet,  T.  H.  W.  23,  Trafalgar  Square , Chelsea , A 7F. 
Mapleton,  Rev.  H.  M.  Badgworth , Weston-super-Mare 
370  Marshall,  Rev.  Hugh  John 

Marshall,  Wilfred  George,  Norton  Manor , Taunton 
M arson,  Mrs.  Hambridge  Vicarage , Curry  Rivel 
Marwood,  J.  B.  Eastcott , 86,  Boston  Road , Hanwell , 
Middlesex 

Marriott,  H.  M.  Heale  House , Curry  Rivel 
375  Master,  Rev.  G.  S.  Bourton  Grange,  Flax-Bourton , Bristol 
Mathew,  Rev.  M.  A.  Buckland  Dinham,  Frome 
Mawer,  A.  Jefferay,  Kelston , Weston-super-Mare 
May,  Rev.  W.  D. 

t Maynard,  Alfred,  Henley  Lodge , Taunton 
380  Maynard,  Howard  „ 

McAuliffe,  W.  J.  Taunton 

McConnell,  Rev.  C.  J.  Pylle  Rectory , Shepton  Mallet 
Mead,  Francis  H.  m.d.  1855,  Fourth  Street,  San  Diego, 
California,  U.S.A. 

Meade,  Francis,  The  Hill,  L^angport 
385  Meade-King,  R.  Liddon,  m.d.  Taunton 

Meade-King,  Walter,  11,  Baring  Crescent,  Heavitree , 
Exeter. 

Medley,  Rev.  J.  B.  Tyntesfield,  Bristol 
Medlycott,  Sir  E.  B.,  Bart.  Ven,  Milborne  Port 
Mellor,  Right  Hon.  J.  W.,  M.P.,  Q.C.  Qulmhead , Taunton 
390  Meredith,  J.,  m.d.  Wellington 

Michell,  Rev.  A.  T.  Sheriffhales  Vicarage,  Neicport,  Salop 
Mildmay,  Rev.  A.  St.  John,  Hazelgrove  Park,  Queen 
Camel,  Bath 
t Mitchell,  F.  Chard 

Mitchell,  G.  W.  76,  Beulah  Hill,  Upper  Norwood,  London 
395  Monday,  A.  J.  Taunton 
Moore,  F.  S.  Castle  Cary 
Morland,  John,  Glastonbury 
Mullins,  Mrs.  The  Glebe,  Weston-super-Mare 
Mullins,  Miss  ,,  „ 

400  Murray-Anderdon,  H.  E.  Henlade,  Taunton,  and  27, 
Sloane  Gardens,  Lxmdon 
Naylor,  J.  R.,  C.S.I.  Cadbury  House,  Yatton 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


239 


Newell,  Rev.  Preb.  C.  F.  Chiselborough  Rectory , Stoke- 
under-Ham 

Newell,  Major  H.  L.  „ „ „ 

Newnbam,  Capt.  N.  J.  Blaydon  Court , Bristol 
405  New  York  Public  Library,  Astor  Library  Buildings , N.Y. 
Newton,  F.  M.  Barton  Grange , Taunton 
Nicol,  Herbert,  Poundisford  Park , Taunton 
Nichols,  James 

Nicholson,  Rev.  Preb.  J.  Y.  Aller  Rectory , Lang  port 
410  Norman,  Col.  Compton,  Taunton 
Norman,  G.  12,  Brock  Street , Bath 
t Norris,  Hugh,  South  Petherton 
Odgers,  Rev.  J.  E.  145,  Woodstock  Road , Oxford 
O’Donoghue,  Henry  O’Brien,  Long  Ashton 
415  Olivey,  H.  P.  No?‘th  Curry 

Ommanney,  Rev.  Preb.  G.  D.  W.  29,  Beaumont  Street , 
Oxford 

O’Neill,  Rev.  J.  M.  Wembdon , Bridgwater 
|Paget,  The  Rt.  Hon.  Sir  Richard  H.,  Bart.,  P.c.  Cran- 
more  Hall , Shepton  Mallet , V.P. 

Palmer,  H.  P.  Wellington  Terr  ace , Taunton 
420  Parsons,  H.  F.,  m.d.  4,  Park  Hill  Rise , Croydon , Surrey 
Pass,  A.  C.  Hawthornden , Clifton  Down , Bristol 
Paul,  A.  D.  Chard 

Paul,  R.  W.  3,  Arundel  Street , Strand , London , W.C. 
Paynter,  J.  B.  Hendford  Manor  House , Yeovil 
425f Peacock,  Rev.  E.  Rockfield  Niamey , Frome 
Peace,  A.  Silver  Craig , Weston-super-Mare 
Peake,  Rev.  George  Eden,  Ok'er  Stowey , Bridgwater 
Pearce,  Edwin,  Taunton 

Pearse,  Rev.  Beauchamp  K.  W.  The  Old  Rectory , Ascot , 
Staines 

430  Peirson,  Rev.  E.  G.  Exford  Rectory , Dunster 

Penny,  Rev.  C.  W.  Shute  End  House , Wokingham , Berks 
(deceased) 

Penny,  Rev.  E.  L.  D.D.,  r.x.  Cory  ton , Pentillie  Road , 
Plymouth 

Penny,  Rev.  James  Alpass,  Wispington  Vicarage , Horn- 
castle , Lincolnshire 
Penny,  T.  Taunton 

435  Perceval,  Cecil  H.  Spencer,  Severn  House , Henbury , Bristol 
Percival,  Rev.  S.  E.  Merriott  Vicarage , Crewkernc 
Perfect,  Rev.  H.  T.  Stanton  Drew 
Perkins,  A.  E.  Taunton 
Perry,  Lieut.-Col.  J.  Cracker ne 


240 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


440  Perry,  Rev.  C.  R.,  b.d.  Mickfield  Rectory , Stoivmarket 
*Petherick,  E.  A.,  f.k.g.s.  85,  Hopton  Road , Streatham , 
London , B7. 

Phelips,  W.  R.  Montacute  House , Montacute , S.O.,  So?n. 
Phillips,  Rev.  Theodore  E.  R.  Hendford , Yeovil 
Phillis,  John,  31,  High  Street , Shepton  Mallet 
445  Philp,  Capt.  Pendogget , Timsbury , Bath 

tPinney,  Col.  Wm.  Somerton  Erleigh,  v.p.  (deceased) 
Pittman,  J.  Banks,  Basing  House , Basinghall  Street , 
London , E.  C. 

Pitt-Rivers,  Lt.-Gen.,  F.n.s.,  f.s.a.  Rushmore , Salisbury 
Plowman,  Miss,  Greenway , North  Curry 
450  Poole,  H.  R.  South  Petherton 

Poole,  Rev.  Robert  Blake,  Vicar  age,  Rminster 

Poole,  Wm.  Par/t  Street , Taunton 
Pooll,  R.  P.  H.  Batten,  Road  Manor , Rotf/i 
Pope,  John,  Noicers , Wellington 
455  Porch,  J.  A.  Edgar  ley  House , Glastonbury 

Portman,  Hon.  E.  W.  B.  Hestercombe , Taunton 
tPortman,  The  Rt.  Hon.  The  Viscount,  Bryanstone  House , 
Dorset , V.P. 

Potter,  Wm.  12,  The  Crescent , Taunton 
Powell,  Septimus,  The  Hermitage , Weston-super-Mare 
460  Prankerd,  P.  D.  The  Knoll , Sneyd  Park , Bristol 
Price,  R.  E.  Broomfield  Hall , Bridgwater 
Prideaux,  C.  S.,  l.d.s.,  e.c.S.,  Eng.  Cornliill , Dorchester 
Prideaux,  W.  de  C. 

fPring,  Rev.  Daniel  J.  Wilton , Taunton 
465  Prior,  R.  C.  A.,  m.d.  Halse 
Quicke,  Rev.  C.  P.  Ashbrittle 
Raban,  Rev.  R.  C.  W.  Bishop's  Hull 
*Ramsden,  Sir  John  Wm.,  Bart.  Bulstrode , Gerrard's 
Cross , Bucks , 6,  Upper  Brook  Street , London , 

By  ram , Yorkshire 
Rankine,  A. 

470  Rashleigh,  E.  Colman,  Taunton 

Rawle,  E.  J.  Camden  Villa , Chislchurst , ATe/if 
Raymond,  Walter,  Yeovil 
Reeves,  A.  Taunton 

Risk,  Rev.  J.  E.  Stockleigh  English , Crediton , Devon 
475  Richardson,  Rev.  A.  Brislington 

Rigden,  G.  W.  Cyprus  Terrace , Taunton 
Risley,  S.  Norris 

Rixon,  W.  A.  Alfoxton  Park , Holford , Bridgwater 
Roberts,  F.  W.  Northbrook  Lodge , Taunton 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


241 


480  Roberts,  Killam,  M.K.C.S.,  Eng.  Shilling  ton , Bedfordshire 
Rocke,  Mrs.  Chalice  Hill , Glastonbury 
Rogers,  G.  H.  16,  Park  Street , Taunton 
Rogers,  The  Worshipful  Chancellor,  T.  E.  Yarlington 
House , Wincanton 

Rogers,  W.  H.  H.  F.S.A.  Bellevue , Polsloe  Road , Exeter 
485  Rose,  Rev.  W.  F.  Hutton , Weston-super-Mare 
Rossiter,  Gr.  F.,  m.b.  Weston-super-Mare 
Rowe,  J.  Brooking,  f.s.a.  Castle  Barbican , Plympton , 
Devon. 

Rowley,  W.  L.  P.  Brazenose  College , Oxford , and  Wo  Gl- 
aring ton 

Ruddock,  Miss  Fanny  M.  Elmfield , Clevedon 
490  Ruegg,  Lewis  H.  Westbury , Sherborne , Dorset 
Rutter,  Rev.  J.  H.  Ilminster 

Salmon,  Yen.  Archdeacon  E.  A.  Brent  Knoll , Hiyhbridge 
Samson,  C.  H.  Taunton 

f Sanford,  W.  A.  Nynehead  Court , Wellington,  v.p.  Trustee 
495  Sanford,  E.  C.  A.  „ „ 

Saunders,  G.  Jun.  Lydeard  House , Taunton 
Sawyer,  Col.  E.  Hinton  St.  George 
Scott,  Rev.  J.  P.  House , Taunton 

Scott,  M.  H.  5,  Lansdown  Place  West , RotfA 
500 1 Seale,  Rev.  F.  S.  P.  Pitminster 

Sealy,  W.  H.  Heathfield  House , Norton  Fitzivarren , 
Taunton. 

f Sears,  R.  H.  Priory  House , Taunton  (deceased) 

Semple,  W.  Rae  Mac-Phun,  M.B.  Ch.  M.  Yeovil 
Sheldon,  Thomas,  Clevedon 

505  Shore,  Capt.  The  Hon.  Henry  N.  Mount  Elton , Clevedon 
Short,  John,  Pro  vis,  Batcombe,  Bath 
Shum,  F.  17,  Norfolk  Crescent,  Bath 
Sibley,  J.  P.  Highclere  House,  Taunton 
Skinner,  Stephen,  m.b.  Tranent  Lawn,  Clevedon 
510|Skrine,  H.  D.  Claverton  Manor,  Bath,  v.P. 

Skrine,  H.  M.  Warleigh  Manor,  Bath 
Slade,  Wyndham,  Monty s Court,  Taunton 
fSloper,  E.  Dashivood  House,  Broad  Street,  London 
Sly,  E.  B.  Glastonbury 
515  Smith,  A.  J.  North  Street,  Taunton 

Smith,  F.  Buchanan,  Haines  Hill,  Taunton 
t Smith,  Rev.  Gilbert  E.  Barton  St.  David 
Smith,  Wm.,  m.d.  Weyhill,  Andover 
Smith,  J.  H.  W.  Roseneath,  Taunton 
520  Smith,  W.  Carleton,  Chipley,  Wellington 

Vol.  XL IV  (Third  Series,  Vol.  IV),  Part  II.  hh 


242 


List  of  Members  for  1898 . 


f Smith,  Rev.  A.  H.  A.  The  Vicarage , Lyng 
Smith,  Major,  Lyng 

Somers,  B.  E.  Mendip  Lodge , Langford , Bristol 
Somerville,  A.  F.  Binder , Wells 
525  Sommerville,  R.  G.  Creechbarrow , Taunton 
Southall,  H.  The  Craig , 

Southam,  Rev.  J.  H.  Trull 
Sparks,  William,  Crew  kerne 
Speke,  W.  Jordans , Ilminster 
530  Spencer,  Frederick,  Pondsmead , Oakhill , Bath 
Spencer,  J.  H.  Corfe , Taunton 
Spicer,  Northcote  W.  Chard 
Spiller,  H.  J.  Taunton 
Spiller,  Miss,  Sunny  Bank , Bridgwater 
535  Standley,  A.  P.  Rossall  School,  Fleetivood 

f Stanley,  E.  J.,  m.p.  Quantock  Lodge,  Bridgwater , Trustee, 
President. 

* Stanley,  H.  T.  Quantock  Lodge,  Bridgwater 
Stanway,  Moses,  Street,  Taunton 

Steevens,  A.  Taunton 

540  Stephenson,  Rev.  Preb.  J.  H.  Lympsham 
Stevens,  E.  W.  4,  Birch  Grove,  Taunton 
Stoate,  Wm.  Belmont,  Burnham 
t Strachey,  Sir  E.,  Bart.,  Sutton  Court , Pensford , Bristol,  v.p. 
Stradling,  Rev.  W.  J.  L.  Chilton-super-Polden 
545  StringfelloAv,  A.  H.  The  Chestnuts,  Taunton 
Stuckey,  Vincent,  Hill  House , Lang  port 
Sully,  Christopher  W.  Wembdon  Road,  Bridgwater 
Sully,  T.  N.  Downleaze,  Sneyd  Park , Bristol 
Sully,  J.  Norman,  Bridgwater 
550  Sully,  G.  B.  Belmont,  Burnham 

Summerfield,  William,  St.  George’s  Villa , Taunton 
Surrage,  E.  J.  Rocke,  1,  Garden  Court,  Temple,  London 
fSweetman,  Geo.  Wincanton 
Tanner,  Rev.  T.  C.  Burlescombe  Vicarage,  Wellington 
555  Taplin,  T.  K.  Mount  House,  Milverton 

Tarr,  Francis  John,  Roseneath,  Willsbridge,  near  Bristol 
Taylor,  Thomas,  Taunton 
Taylor,  Rev.  A.  D.  Churchstanton 
Taylor,  Rev.  C.  S.  Banwell. , R.S.O.,  Somerset 
560  Taylor,  Rev  J.  H.  lie  Abbots 

t Temple,  Rt.  Hon.  Earl,  Newton  House,  Bristol,  Trustee 
Thatcher,  A.  A.  Midsomer  Norton,  Bath 
Thatcher,  Edward  J.  Fi? field  House,  Knoivle,  Bristol 
Thomas,  C.  E.  Granville,  Lansdown,  Bath 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


243 


565  Thompson,  A.  S.  10,  Greenway  Avenue , Taunton 

Thompson,  Rev.  Archer,  Montrose , Weston  Park , Bath 
Thompson,  H.  Stuart,  30,  Waterloo  Street , Birmingham 
Thomson,  Rev.  G.  O.  L.  Merton  Vicarage , Bicester 
T bring,  Rev.  Preb.  Godfrey,  Plonk’s  Hill , Shamley  Green , 
Guildford 

570  Tilley,  J.  A.  C.  63,  Cheyne  Court , Chelsea 
fTite,  C. 

Tite,  Mrs. 

Todd,  D’Arcv,  36,  Norfolk  Square , Hyde  Park.  London.  W. 
Toft,  Rev.  H.  Axbridge 
5 75 f Tomkins,  Rev.  H.  G.  Weston-super-Mare 

Tomkins,  Rev.  W.  S.  33,  Canynge  Square , Clifton , Bristol 
Tordiffe,  Rev.  Stafford,  Staplegrove 
Trask,  Charles,  Norton , Ilminster 

Trenchard,  W.  »T.  Heidelberg  House , Mary  Street , Taunton 
580f Trevilian,  E.  B.  Cely,  Midelney  Place , Drayton , v.p. 
Trevilian,  Mrs.  Midelney  Place , Curry  Rivel 
Tucker,  W . J.  Chard 
Tuckett,  F.  F.  Frenchay , Bristol 

Turner,  H.  G.  Staplegrove , and  19,  Sloane  Gardens , 
London,  S.W. 

585  Tynte,  Halswell  M.  Kemeys,  Hatsivell , Bridgwater 
Tynte,  St.  David  Kemeys,  Sherwood , Goathurst 
Ussher,  W.  A.  E.,  H.M.  Geological  Survey 
Utterson,  Major-Gen.  Sidbrook , Taunton 
Valentine,  E.  W.  Somerton 
590  Vile,  J.  G.  Wilton  I^odge,  Taunton 

Villar,  Mrs.  \V.  *T.  T auntfield,  Taunton 
Wadmore,  Rev.  J.  A.  W.  Barrow  Gurney , Bristol 
Wainwright,  Chas.  Summerleaze , Shepton  Mallet 
Wait,  H.  W.  K.  13,  Paragon , Clifton 
5 95 1 Wakefield,  J.  E.  W.  Taunton 

Waldron,  Clement,  Llandaff \ S.  Wales 
Walter,  W.  W.  Stoke-sub-Hamdon 
Warry,  G.  D.,  Q.C.  Shapwick 

Warry,  Henry  Cockeram,  The  Cedars , Preston  Road , 
Yeovil 

600  Watts,  B.  H.  13,  Queen  Square , Bath 

Weaver,  Chas.  Uplands , Johns  Road , Clifton 

f Weaver,  Rev.  F.  W.  Milton  Clevedon , Evercreech , General 
Secretary 

Welch,  C.  21,  Ellesker  Gardens , Richmond , Surrey 
Wells,  The  Dean  and  Chapter 
605  Wells,  Theological  College 


244 


List  of  Members  for  1898. 


Were,  F.  Grattcicke  Halt , Barrow  Gurney , Bristol 
West,  Rev.  W.  H.  25,  Pulteney  Street , ifof// 

Westlake,  W.  H.  Taunton 
Whale,  Rev.  T.  W.  Weston , 

610  Whistler,  Rev.  C.  W.,  M.R.C.S.  Stockland , Bridgwater 
White,  Sami.  The  Holt , Mount  lands,  Taunton 
Whitting,  C.  G.  Glandore , Weston-super-Mare 
Wickenden,  F.  B.  Tone  House , Taunton 
Wickham,  Rev.  A.  P.  Martock 

6 lot  Williams,  Rev.  Wadham  Pigott,  Weston-super-Mare 
Williams,  Thos.  Webb,  Flax-Bourton 
Wilkinson,  Rev.  Thos.  The  Manse,  Taunton 
Wills,  H.  H.  W.  Barley  Wood,  Wrington 
Wills,  Sir  W.  H.  Bart.,  m.p.  Coombe  Lodge,  Blagdon, 
R.S.O.,  Somerset 

620  Wilson,  Rev.  W.  C.  Hunt  spill 
Willcocks,  A.  D.  Taunton 
Winter,  Major,  Yorke  House,  Bideford 
fWinterbotham,  W.  L.,  m.b.  Bridgwater 
Winwood,  Rev.  H.  H.  11,  Cavendish  Crescent,  Bath 

625  W inwood,  T.  H.  R.  Wellisford  Manor,  Wellington 
Wood,  Alexander,  The  Laurels , Horsham , Sussex 
Wood,  F.  A Highfield,  Chew  Magna 
Wood,  Rev.  W.  Berdmore,  Bicknoller  Vicarage 
Woodforde,  Rev.  A.  J.  Locking  Vicarage,  Weston-super- 
Mare 

630  Wooler,  W.  H.  Weston-super-Mare 
t Worthington,  Rev.  J.  Taunton 
Wright,  W.  H.  K.  Free  Library,  Plymouth 
Wyatt,  J.  W.  Eastcourt,  Wookey,  Wes ton-su per-Ma re 


Members  are  requested  to  inform  “The  Secretaries,  Taunton  Castle”  of  any 
errors  or  omissions  in  the  above  list ; they  are  also  requested  to  authorise 
their  Bankers  to  pay  their  subscriptions  annually  to  Stuckey’s  Banking 
Company,  Taunton ; or  to  either  of  their  branches ; or  their  respective 
London  Agents,  on  account  of  the  Treasurer. 


1R  ules. 


rpHIS  Society  shall  be  denominated  “The  Somersetshire 
JL  Archaeological  and  Natural  History  Society;”  and  its 
object  shall  be  the  cultivation  of,  and  collecting  information  on, 
Archaeology  and  Natural  History  in  their  various  branches,  but  more 
particularly  in  connection  with  the  County  of  Somerset,  and  the 
establishment  of  a Museum  and  Library. 

II.  — The  Officers  of  the  Society  shall  consist  of  a Patron  and 
Trustees,  elected  for  life ; a President ; Vice-Presidents  ; General  and 
District  or  Local  Secretaries ; and  a Treasurer,  elected  at  each 
Anniversary  Meeting  ; with  a Committee  of  twelve,  six  of  whom 
shall  go  out  annually  by  rotation,  but  may  be  re-elected.  No  person 
shall  be  elected  on  the  Committee  until  he  shall  have  been  six  months 
a Member  of  the  Society. 

III.  — Anniversary  General  Meetings  shall  be  held  for  the  purpose 
of  electing  the  Officers,  of  receiving  the  Report  of  the  Committee 
for  the  past  year,  and  of  transacting  all  other  necessary  business,  at 
such  time  and  place  as  the  Committee  shall  appoint,  of  which 
Meetings  three  weeks’  notice  shall  be  given  to  the  Members. 

IV. — -There  shall  also  be  a General  Meeting,  fixed  by  the  Com- 
mittee, for  the  purpose  of  receiving  reports,  reading  Papers,  and 
transacting  business.  All  Members  shall  have  the  privilege  of 
introducing  one  friend  to  the  Anniversary  and  General  Meetings. 

V.  — The  Committee  is  empowered  to  call  Special  Meetings  of  the 
Society  upon  receiving  a requisition  signed  by  ten  Members.  Three 
weeks’  notice  of  such  Special  Meeting  and  its  objects,  shall  be  given 
to  each  Member. 

VI.  — The  affairs  of  the  Society  shall  be  directed  by  the  Committee 
(of  which  the  Officers  of  the  Society  will  be  ex-officio  Members) 
which  shall  hold  monthly  Meetings  for  receiving  Reports  from  the 
Secretaries  and  sub-Committees,  and  for  transacting  other  necessary 
business  ; three  of  the  Committee  shall  be  a quorum.  Members  may 
attend  the  Monthly  Committee  Meetings  after  the  official  business 
has  been  transacted. 

VII.  — The  Chairman  at  Meetings  of  the  Society  shall  have  a 
casting  vote,  in  addition  to  his  vote  as  a Member. 


246 


Rules . 


VIII.  — One  (at  least)  of  the  Secretaries  shall  attend  each  Meeting, 
and  shall  keep  a record  of  its  proceedings.  The  property  of  the 
Society  shall  be  held  in  Trust  for  the  Members  by  twelve  Trustees, 
who  shall  be  chosen  from  the  Members  at  any  General  Meeting. 
All  Manuscripts  and  Communications  and  other  property  of  the 
Society  shall  be  under  the  charge  of  the  Secretaries. 

IX. — Candidates  for  admission  as  Members  shall  be  proposed  by 
two  Members  at  any  of  the  General  or  Committee  Meetings,  and 
the  election  shall  be  determined  by  ballot  at  the  next  Committee  or 
General  Meeting ; three-fourths  of  the  Members  present  balloting 
shall  elect.  The  Rules  of  the  Society  shall  be  subscribed  by  every 
person  becoming  a Member. 

X. — - Ladies  shall  be  eligible  as  Members  of  the  Society  without 
ballot,  being  proposed  by  two  Members  and  approved  by  the  majority 
of  the  Meeting. 

XI. — Each  Member  shall  pay  Ten  Shillings  and  Sixpence  on 
admission  to  the  Society,  and  Ten  Shillings  and  Sixpence  as  an 
annual  subscription,  which  shall  become  due  on  the  first  of  January 
in  each  year,  and  shall  be  paid  in  advance. 

XII. — Donors  of  Ten  Guineas  or  upwards  shall  be  Members  for 
life. 

XIII.  — At  General  Meetings  of  the  Society  the  Committee  may 
recommend  persons  to  be  balloted  for  as  Honorary  and  Corresponding 
Members. 

XIV.  — When  an  office  shall  become  vacant,  or  any  new  appoint- 
ment shall  be  requisite,  the  Committee  shall  have  power  to  fill  up 
the  same  : such  appointments  shall  remain  in  force  only  till  the  next 
General  Meeting,  when  they  shall  be  either  confirmed  or  annulled. 

XV.  — The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  Subscriptions  and  Donations 
made  to  the  Society,  and  shall  pay  all  accounts  passed  by  the  Com- 
mittee ; he  shall  keep  a book  of  receipts  and  payments,  which  he 
shall  produce  whenever  the  Committee  shall  require  it ; the  accounts 
shall  be  audited  previously  to  the  Anniversary  Meeting  by  two 
Members  of  the  Committee  chosen  for  that  purpose,  and  an  abstract 
of  them  shall  be  read  at  the  Meeting. 

XVI. - — No  change  shall  be  made  in  the  laws  of  the  Society  except 
at  a General  or  Special  Meeting,  at  which  twelve  Members  at  least 
shall  be  present.  Of  the  proposed  change  a month’s  notice  shall 
be  given  to  the  Secretaries,  who  shall  communicate  the  same  to  each 
Member  three  weeks  before  the  Meeting. 

XVII.  — Papers  read  at  Meetings  of  the  Society,  may  (with  the 
Author’s  consent  and  subject  to  the  discretion  of  the  Committee)  be 
published  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Society. 

XVIII. — No  religious  or  political  discussions  shall  be  permitted  at 
Meetings  of  the  Society. 


Rules. 


247 


XIX.  — Any  person  contributing  books  or  specimens  to  the  Museum 
shall  be  at  liberty  to  resume  possession  of  them  in  the  event  of  a 
dissolution  of  the  Society.  Persons  shall  also  have  liberty  to  deposit 
books  or  specimens  for  a specific  time  only. 

XX.  — In  case  of  dissolution,  the  real  property  of  the  Society  in 
Taunton  shall  be  held  by  the  Trustees,  for  the  advancement  of 
Literature,  Science  and  Art,  in  the  town  of  Taunton  and  the  county 
of  Somerset. 


gules  fur  tljt  internment  of  ilje  fibrarg. 

1. — The  Library  shall  be  open  for  the  use  of  the  Members  of  the 
Society  daily  (with  the  exception  of  Sundays,  Good  Friday  and 
Christmas  Day),  from  Ten  in  the  Morning  till  Five  in  the  Afternoon, 
from  April  to  August  inclusive,  and  during  the  remaining  months 
of  the  year  until  Four  o’clock. 

2.  — Every  Member  of  the  Society  whose  annual  Subscription 
shall  not  be  more  than  three  months  in  arrear  may  borrow  out  of 
the  Library  not  more  than  two  volumes  at  a time,  and  may  exchange 
any  of  the  borrowed  volumes  for  others  as  often  as  he  may  please,  but 
so  that  he  shall  not  have  more  than  two  in  his  possession  at  any 
one  time. 

3 — Every  application  by  any  Member  who  shall  not  attend  in 
person  for  the  loan  of  any  book  or  books  shall  be  in  writing. 

4.  — So  much  of  the  title  of  every  book  borrowed  as  will  suffice  to 
distinguish  it,  the  name  of  the  borrower,  and  the  time  of  borrowing 
it,  shall  be  entered  in  a book  to  be  called  the  “ Library  Delivery 
Book  ; and  such  entry,  except  the  application  be  by  letter,  shall  be 
signed  by  the  borrower ; and  the  return  of  books  borrowed  shall  be 
duly  entered  in  the  same  book. 

5.  —The  book  or  books  borrowed  may  either  be  taken  away  by  the 
borrower,  or  sent  to  him  in  any  reasonable  and  recognised  mode 
which  he  may  request ; and  should  no  request  be  made,  then  the 
Curator  shall  send  the  same  to  the  borrower  by  such  mode  as  the 
Curator  shall  think  fit. 

6.  — All  cost  of  the  packing,  and  of  the  transmission  and  return  of 
the  book  or  books  borrowed,  shall  in  every  case  be  defrayed  by  the 
Member  who  shall  have  borrowed  the  same. 

7. - — No  book  borrowed  out  of  the  Library  shall  be  retained  for  a 
longer  period  than  one  month,  if  the  same  be  applied  for  in  the  mean- 
time by  any  other  Member;  nor  in  any  case  shall  any  book  be 
retained  for  a longer  period  than  three  months. 


248 


Rules . 


8.  — Every  Member  who  shall  borrow  any  book  out  of  the  Library 
shall  be  responsible  to  the  Society  for  its  safety  and  good  condition 
from  the  time  of  its  leaving  the  Library  ; also  if  he  borrow  any  book 
or  manuscript  within  the  Library,  till  it  shall  be  returned  by  him. 
And  in  case  of  loss  or  damage,  he  shall  replace  the  same  or  make  it 
good ; or,  if  required  by  the  Committee,  shall  furnish  another  copy  of 
the  entire  work  of  which  it  may  be  part. 

9.  — No  manuscript,  nor  any  drawing,  nor  any  part  of  the  Society’s 
collection  of  prints  or  rubbings  shall  be  lent  out  of  the  Library 
without  a special  order  of  the  Committee,  and  a bond  given  for  its 
safe  return  at  such  time  as  the  Committee  shall  appoint. 

10.  — The  Committee  shall  prepare,  and  may  from  time  to  time  add 
to  or  alter,  a list  of  such  works  as  shall  not  be  lent  out  of  the  Library, 
on  account  of  their  rarity,  value,  or  peculiar  liability  to  damage  ; or 
on  account  of  their  being  works  of  reference  often  needed  by 
Members  personally  using  the  Library,  and  a copy  of  such  list  for  the 
time  being  shall  be  kept  in  the  Library. 

1 1.  — No  book  shall  be  lent  out  until  one  month  after  the  acquisition 
of  it  for  the  Library. 

12.  — Extracts  from  the  manuscripts  or  printed  books  are  allowed 
to  be  made  freely,  but  in  case  of  a transcript  being  desired  of  a whole 
manuscript  or  printed  book,  the  consent  of  the  Committee  must  be 
previously  obtained. 

13.  — Persons  not  being  Members  of  the  Society  may  be  admitted 
for  a period  not  exceeding  one  week,  to  consult  printed  books  and 
manuscripts  not  of  a private  nature  in  the  Society’s  Library,  for  any 
special  purpose,  on  being  introduced  by  a Member,  either  personally 
or  by  letter. 

14.  — No  book  shall  be  lent  to  any  person  not  being  a Member  of 
the  Society  without  a special  order  of  the  Committee. 

15.  — Before  any  Member  can  borrow  a book  from  the  Library,  he 
must  acknowledge  that  he  consents  to  the  printed  Rules  of  the 
Society  for  the  Government  of  the  Library. 

it  is  requested  that  contributions  to  the  Museum  or  Library  be 
sent  to  the  Curator , at  the  Taunton  Castle. 


;$ules  for  % .formation;  of  fotal  § ranch  Societies. 

1 — On  the  application  of  not  less  than  Five  Members  of  the 
Society  the  Council  may  authorise  the  formation  of  a Local  Branch 
in  any  District,  and  may,  if  considered  advisable,  define  a specific 
portion  of  the  County  as  the  District  to  such  Branch. 


Rules. 


249 


2.  — Societies  already  in  existence,  may,  on  application  from  the 
governing  bodies,  be  affiliated  as  Branches. 

3.  — All  Members  of  the  Parent  Society  shall  be  entitled  to  become 
Members  of  any  Branch. 

4.  — A Branch  Society  may  elect  Local  Associates  not  necessarily 
Members  of  the  Parent  Society. 

5.  — Members  of  the  Council  of  the  Parent  Society,  being  Members 
of,  and  residing  within  the  District  assigned  to  any  Branch,  shall  be 
ex-officio  Members  of  the  Council  of  such  Branch. 

6.  — A Branch  Society  may  fix  the  rates  of  Subscription  for  Mem- 
bers and  Associates,  and  make  Rules  and  Bye-Laws  for  the  government 
of  such  Branch,  subject  in  all  cases  to  the  approval  of  the  Council  of 
the  Parent  Society. 

7. -— A Branch  Society  shall  not  be  entitled  to  pledge  the  credit  of 
the  Parent  Society  in  any  manner  whatsoever. 

8.  — The  authority  given  by  the  Council  may  at  any  time  be  with- 
drawn by  them,  subject  always  to  an  appeal  to  a General  Meeting. 

9. — Every  Branch  Society  shall  send  its  Publications  and  the  Pro- 
grammes of  its  Meetings  to  the  Parent  Society,  and  in  return  shall 
receive  a free  copy  of  the  Parent  Society’s  Proceedings. 

10.  — If  on  any  discovery  being  made  of  exceptional  interest  a 
Branch  Society  shall  elect  to  communicate  it  to  the  Parent  Society 
before  themselves  making  it  a matter  of  discussion,  the  Parent  Society, 
if  it  adopts  it  as  the  subject  of  a paper  at  one  of  its  ordinary  Meetings, 
shall  allow  the  Branch  Society  to  make  use  of  any  Illustrations  that 
the  Parent  Society  may  prepare. 

11. — Any  Officer  of  a Branch  Society,  or  any  person  recommended 
by  the  President,  Vice-President,  Chairman  or  Secretary,  or  by  any 
Two  of  the  Members  of  the  Couficil  of  a Branch  Society,  shall  on  the 
production  of  proper  Vouchers  be  allowed  to  use  the  Library  of  the 
Society,  but  without  the  power  of  removing  books  except  by  the 
express  permission  of  the  Council. 

12.  — Branch  Societies  shall  be  invited  to  furnish  Reports  from 
time  to  time  to  the  Parent  Society  with  regard  to  any  subject  or 
discovery  which  may  be  of  interest. 

December,  1898. 


Vol.  XL1V  (Third  Series,  Vol-  IV),  Part  II. 


•Vi  V